News and Updates

Enjoying going straight into a full colour first pass for this current commissioned piece…. I find this light grey the perfect value for a primer, just right to help to quickly establish mid value form but not so dark as to affect subtle chroma shifts. #commissionart #portrait #oilpaintings #artistsoninstagram #workinprogress #underpainting #oilpainting #whatsonyoureasel #artoftheday #studio #artiststudio

I love how quickly you can block in form using a wipe out technique… cotton buds are perfect for these grapes. What are some of your favourite unlikely painting tools? #grisaille #underpainting #wipeout #workinprogress #oilpainting #studiotips

As some of you know I stopped using a full grisaille underpainting a few years ago… though still will for some areas that I know will benefit, like areas I’m going to glaze over later.) I still find it very useful to develop a piece in monochrome, even if as here it’s just using graphite and charcoal with a little white chalk plus the light grey of my primed panel as my mid value… #studioprocess #workinprogress #grisaille #drawing #portrait #whatsonyoureasel

Coming to the end of a run of really enjoyable commissions and starting to get excited about new works in the offing! #studio #portrait #commissionaportrait #collectart #bespoke #artists #figurativepainting

Reminiscence (2022) on show now at the Arcadia booth at the LA Art Show - Contact info@arcadiacontemporary.com for enquiries. @arcadiagallery @laartshow #arcadiacontemporary #laartshow #oilpainting #figurepainting #portraitpainting #art #artist #maryjaneansell

I don’t think I posted up this recently completed piece - which featured on the cover of @internationalartistmagazine and an article following its process from drawing to final glazes… #botticelli #redhead #venus #artist #process #oilpainting #seascape #artoftheday

Detail of a newly completed commissioned piece - It was a real pleasure to add the white rose and dahlias from my garden at the request of the collector. Those personal touches can add so much to the connections we make with a piece and make it all the more enjoyable to work on and ultimately to give. #commission #flower #painting #portrait #artistsoninstagram #oilpainting #commissionart

Looking at an older portrait commission today in preparation for an up coming teaching session covering painting hair. Though you may prefer not to use a full grisaille underpainting every time it can really help if you’re struggling to break down the subtle shapes and value shifts… #oilpainting #paintingdemo #studyart #mentoring #portrait #paintinghair #grisaille #glazing #oilonpanel #artistsoninstagram

Wishing the wonderful @macyyyoung a very happy birthday! 🥂⚡️⚡️⚡️ Here’s to a very happy healthy and creative New Year to all my friends followers and family here! #hny #artoftheday #portrait #singersongwriter

A huge thank you to everyone that bid on this and all of the other postcard artworks for this years #anonartproject you helped raise an incredible £45,000 for @heartresearchuk helping them to continue their pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease ❤️❤️❤️@he.art_project #charityartauction #thankyou

⚡️The holiday season is upon us and due to upcoming postal strikes I can’t 100% guarantee I can get prints to you in time for Christmas BUT I will try! And even better you’ll get 10% off right now! . . #limitededition #prints #giveart #collectart #britishartist #figurativeart

Posted @withrepost • @internationalartistmagazine Journey alongside @maryjaneansell in our Dec/Jan issue to lose yourself in a tutorial that begs to be followed. Her beautiful composition with captivating light will have you swooning over your own work before too long. Here are some of the progress shots from the issue to get you inspired for what you will read this month. #internationalartistmagazine #internationalartist #artistsofinstagram #collectinginternationalart #internationalartistpublishing #celebrateart #artmagazine #artislife #internationalart #art #painting #artcollector #artistdemonstration

I had the absolute pleasure of sharing the development of this painting for an article with @internationalartistmagazine last month so it’s great to see this December cover sneak peek! Thanks so much Alyssa and all @internationalartistmagazine . . . @maryjaneansell #art #portraitart #contemporaryart #maryjaneansell #artislife #artoninstagram

I’ve just delivered this new drawing of the wonderful @cuordibambola to my U.K. gallery @fairfaxartgallery for their 27th Annual Christmas Group Show. Study for The Lovers Eye Pastel, Graphite and Ink on Paper 14 x 10 inches give them a call on 01892 525 525 or email andrew@fairfaxgallery.com for purchase details. . . #drawing #worksonpaper #portrait #britishartist #contemporaryart #charcoaldrawing #lovers #eye #collectart #art #artistsoninstagram #tunbridgewells #ukgallery #loverseye

Varnishing this little piece which will soon be winging its way to @fairfaxartgallery #varnishday #oilpainting #portrait #redhead

“Reminiscence” 27 x 18 inches oil on Aluminium a few more shot lf my new piece for the @beautifulbizarremagazine curated exhibition 'Halcyon Days' at @moderneden Gallery [5 November – 3 December, 2022]. For sales enquiries please contact Gallery Director, Kim Larson at info@moderneden.com or visit www.moderneden.com/en-au/collections/halcyon-days . . . #BBMhalcyondays #maryjaneansell #moderneden #sanfrancisco #collectart #instaart #botticelli #redhair #dutchmasters #flowerpainting

“Reminiscence” A little taste of my piece for the upcoming @beautifulbizarremagazine curated exhibition 'Halcyon Days' at @moderneden Gallery [5 November – 3 December, 2022]. For sales enquiries please contact Gallery Director, Kim Larson at info@moderneden.com or visit www.moderneden.com/en-au/collections/halcyon-days #BBMhalcyondays #maryjaneansell #moderneden #sanfrancisco #collectart #painting #botticelli #redhair #dutchmasters #flowerpainting

I really can’t put into words what a profoundly beautiful and inspiring week I was lucky enough to share with this bunch of incredible people. Thank you and here’s to next time we meet! ❤️❤️❤️@withrepost • @art_escape_italy We had such an incredible week with this group 🙏 @maryjaneasell really put her heart and soul into teaching this week and we can safely say everyone left having learnt so much. We've been so lucky again to have had a genuinely lovely and talented group of artists here, some of whom we found up in the studio painting until midnight. We're going to miss you all and our evenings by the fire pit 🔥❤️ @ec.bell @maribradbury @shawcassandra @jadegrrrr @wildly.zina @natashazraikat_artist @angelikaweinekoetterart @odonneco @fionaland_portraitartist @winn_nicole @evil_twin_tattoo @ingrid_999_a @eyelanksbury @gailarmstronglanksbury @richardyale @hmarieeasley And as always thank you to our fabulous team @walnutbitch @theamcrae @aguilarvisuals 🙌 and @cuordibambola for an being an inspiring model 🙏 #maryjaneansell #artinspiration #portraitpainting #figurativeart #oilpainting #portraiture #portraitdrawing #portraitinoil #artworkshop #oilportrait #tuscany #artretreat #pitturaadolio #dipinto #figurepainting #realism #contemporaryrealism #realistart

On the easel today - one of my favourite times in the studio is when I’m able to take my time with the last stages of a piece, glazing areas to unify and soften, focussing on details to be refined… it’s when a painting starts to stop being in progress and your eyes suddenly see it as a whole, not a collection of areas to work on. #whatsonmyeasel #oilpainting #venus #portrait #artistsoninstagram #collectart

Beautiful morning… all mists and mellow fruitfulness. And a very noisy squirrel!

Art Of England Q&A

August 03, 2013

Portrait Special

The current issue of Art of England Magazine focusses on portraiture including an article on yours truly... it also features my good friends and very talented artists Alan Coulson and David Eichenburg. On sale June 27th.

Click here to read my interview