David Constable (artist)

David Constable (born 1939 in London) is a British candlemaker and author, who runs Candle Maker's Supplies in Gelligroes Mill, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales.[1] An expert in candle making, he is noted for being a candlemaker to the British royal family for over 30 years and for British and Hollywood films and television.[2][3] Constable is also a well-known educator in the art of candlemaking and has authored several books which have been translated into 10 languages.

Early life and career

Constable was born in London in 1939. At the age of 17 he went to live in Germany for several years where he became fascinated by the variety of candles being made there. Returning to London in the early 1960s he found an absence of candle shops and began making his own candles as a hobby. He began candlemaking as a professional in 1969 with his wife Julie, setting up a shop initially in Moor Park Road and then Beaconsfield Terrace Road, and then Blythe Road in West Kensington in 1976, just behind the Olympia Exhibition Hall.[4] By this time he was contributing to artistic magazines such as The Artist.[5] He began making appearances on TV shows such as Pebble Mill, The Generation Game, where he was the guest expert on three occasions, Vision On, and many others.[4]

In 1980, Constable collaborated with Lesley Judd to make a film about candlemaking, which was aired several times on BBC. In 1989, he was commissioned by the British Epilepsy Association to make a giant candle measuring 30 feet by 3ft 6, weighing over seven tonnes. It took four winter months for the wax to fully set.[4]

In 1991, by royal warrant he became the official candlemaker to Prince Charles and a regular candlemaker for royal residences including Highgrove and St. James Palace and various royal events. In 1993, Constable set up shop in Gelligroes Mill, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales, and also runs a shop on Shepherds Bush Road in London. He has made candles for the Harry Potter film series, the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, First Knight, Interview with a Vampire, Cinderella, The Huntsman, Gosford Park, Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey, and Merlin.[4] He also made the candles for the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011.[3]

Teaching and publications

Constable has taught candlemaking by running workshops at Gelligroes Mill. He taught Bollywood actress Dimple Kapadia the art of candlemaking.[6]

He has authored a number of books on the art of candlemaking which have been translated into 10 languages,[4] including Candlemaking: Creative Designs and Techniques (1992), Beginner's Guide to Candlemaking (1997), Candle Making: Funstation (1998), Gel Candles (2002) and Beeswax Crafts: Candlemaking, Modelling, Beauty Creams (1996) with Norman Battershill and Polly Pinder.[7][8]

Personal life

Constable has been married to Julie since the 1960s. The couple have a son, George, born in 1988.[4]

References
  1. Nicol, Gloria (2000). "Candles: Making and Displaying". Southwater. p. 159.
  2. "Candlemaker David Constable on his work by royal appointment". BBC. 11 July 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  3. "Candles just for Wills and Kate?". Wales Online. 23 December 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  4. "FIRST PERSON: The man who makes candles for Hollywood blockbusters". South Wales Argus. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  5. "The Artist, Volume 91". Artist Publishing Corporation. 1976. Retrieved 16 May 2020. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  6. "While actors of her age play mother, Dimple Kapadia enjoys fresh lease of life". India Today. 18 November 2002. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  7. Google Books, Google.
  8. "Candlemaking for Fun & Profit". Prime Home. 2000. p. 303.
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