Jenkins’ practice was characterised by his choice to avoid the paintbrush altogether, instead allowing pigment to pool, bloom, or roll across the surface of his canvases, guiding the paint with a knife to create fluid fields of colour.
“I try to paint like a crapshooter throwing dice, utilising past experience and my knowledge of the odds. It’s a big gamble, and that’s why I love it,” the artist once said.
Two typical watercolours by Jenkins were offered at Bellmans (22% buyer’s premium) in West Sussex on February 22, estimated together at £200-300.
Untitled and Flamingos, both signed and measuring 2ft 6in x 22in (77 x 57cm), were taken to £3200. A quick online search suggests this to be a good deal for the buyer as other watercolours by the painter have regularly sold for over £5000 at auction.
