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Here’s another favourite portrait from around ten years ago – also of Dora who was in the last post.

Can’t believe I’ve been doing these portraits of children for 10 years. I’ve probably done around 200 since then.

This is sepia ink 41cm x 31cm

Still taking commissions - you can send me a photo you’ve taken on your phone and I’ll usually have the painting done within a week or so. Just let me know if you’d like to find out more. Prices start at around £250.
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#portrait #portraiture #portraitsofkids #portraitsofgirls #portraitsofboys

Posted this not long ago when I talked about doing the first night cards for Much Ado About Nothing last year- but I’m watching #Legends on @netflixuk at the moment and just loving it.

@mrneilforsyth ‘s writing is just extraordinary, @gothicallyinclined777’s central performance is just exceptional, and @kydgerald as Mylonas is such a great foil (and couldn’t be more different to real life Gerald…).

Anyway, here he is as Leonato, ink on paper 10cm x 10cm.

Dora’s sister Mabel, painted in 2017

Walnut ink 41cm x 31cm.

It was lovely to meet Mabel for the first time last week- nine years after painting her portrait, when she came to see @stonstage with her dear family friend, the lovely @piers_torday

Dora from 2017

Walnut ink on handmade paper 41cm x 31cm

i’ve always been very happy with this Portrait – I think the photograph I was working from was of Dora drying off after a sea swim – and possibly looking into a campfire on a beach.

The best portraits I do try and capture the feeling of a moment in time as much as anything else. I don’t always get that but I really like this one. I have a couple of more portraits of this family which I’ll share later on.

Get in touch if you have a family member of friend who you think would appreciate a portrait like this.
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#portraitsofchildren #portrait #portraitsofkids #familyportrait

Dressed up the lovely velvet 1970s suit I got from @blackout2vintagefashion with a hat from @lipmanandsons , shirt from @revivalvintageuk , shoes from the sadly defunct Mr Hare- for an excellent birthday for showstopping birthday boy @josh_mcelroy
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#vintage #vintagemenswear #velvet #1970s

All hail @josh_mcelroy!

Just a kid from Australia who arrived in London with nothing but a big heart, a rucksack full of dreams, and $14.35 in Aussie money.

He plays Lonnie Byers in Stranger Things: The First Shadow and we share a dressing room. He makes me laugh out loud every single day.

And today is his 30th birthday! Happy birthday mate! He’s a little painting of him based on a modelling shoot he did for @aubinandwills which he doesn’t like talking about.

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
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@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
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@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
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@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
-
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@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
-
-
-
@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
-
-
-
@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
-
-
-
@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
-
-
-
@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

@jamielloydco @jamielloyd’s peerless, joyous production of Much Ado About Nothing is going to Broadway with its FULL LONDON CAST.

This is so great for the cast and no mean feat for the huge numbers of people involved in sorting visas and contracts etc.

Here are the first night cards I was commissioned to paint by @wellhayley for the run at @theatreroyaltydrurylane early last year.
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@twhiddleston @jamesphoon_ @masonalexanderpark @forbesmasson @kydgerald

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
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#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
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#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
-
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-
#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
-
-
-
#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
-
-
-
#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
-
-
-
#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
-
-
-
#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

Back To Life (Drawing). It’s been 9 months since I’ve been to a life drawing class, due to commitments keeping the unruly kids at Hawkins High School in line in @stonstage.

So it was a huge pleasure to pop into @adriandutton_life_drawing and draw @alaia_artmodel this evening.

All sketches either 1, 2 or 10 minute poses, drawn in conté pastel. A bit rusty after all that time away and had the same triumphs and disasters I always have but so great to engage this part of my brain again.

Adrian’s classes are always so relaxed and welcoming- there are always people there who have never been to a class before. They run nearly every night of the week, so if you’re in London, look him up and see if there’s one near you. Go with a friend or on your own.
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#lifedrawing #lifemodel #pastel #sketch

#Rivals season 2 starts Disney+ on Friday 15th May.

Here is my portrait of the brilliant @bellamaclean, who plays Taggie. A couple of years ago she kindly asked me to paint portraits of her and her two sisters as a Christmas gift to her parents.

Bella‘s a fantastic actress and a very lovely person and it’s terrific to see her career soaring. Can’t wait for the new series.

6 years ago exactly I got so bored in lockdown that I decided to retouch the lettering on some of the classic David Kindersley road signs around where I live in Walthamstow (for non typography nerds, Kindersley was a wonderful letter designer and stone carver- a bit like Eric Gill but without the really awful abuse Gill was guilty of). Kindersley’s legacy lives on with the wonderful @cardozokindersleyworkshop

I did half a dozen but haven’t done any for a while - but I’ve got my eye on a couple of others. Strictly speaking, it’s a form of tagging. I’m literally painting over public property without permission. But I’ve a feeling councils don’t prioritise the maintenance of postwar street signage as they should and it might be pretty far down the list.

So should I do more?

Swipe to see my favourite.

6 years ago exactly I got so bored in lockdown that I decided to retouch the lettering on some of the classic David Kindersley road signs around where I live in Walthamstow (for non typography nerds, Kindersley was a wonderful letter designer and stone carver- a bit like Eric Gill but without the really awful abuse Gill was guilty of). Kindersley’s legacy lives on with the wonderful @cardozokindersleyworkshop

I did half a dozen but haven’t done any for a while - but I’ve got my eye on a couple of others. Strictly speaking, it’s a form of tagging. I’m literally painting over public property without permission. But I’ve a feeling councils don’t prioritise the maintenance of postwar street signage as they should and it might be pretty far down the list.

So should I do more?

Swipe to see my favourite.

Remembering this dog portrait I did for @katebeckinsale a couple of years ago.

Currently taking pet commissions if you know anyone who would love their dog, cat or axolotl captured in walnut ink.

Incredible dinner at @jsheekeyldn last night and wore this beautiful velvet suit to celebrate.

Purchased around Christmas last year from @blackout2vintagefashion - one of the best vintage stores in London. Full of proper, beautifully curated clothing from the 1920s onwards- and a really proper men’s section which I could gladly spend my life in.

Dressed down a bit with trainers and Breton top but you can bet I will be tarting about in this suit all year round. It’s Italian, hard to date but probably late 70s. The kind of thing Tom Ford has spent his career recreating.