Since winning the People’s Choice Award at our Summer Exhibition in 2016, Nigel has delighted fans with his adorable oil paintings of superheroes and music stars.
The former IN:SIGHT finalist is passionate about revolutionising the way we view still-life painting, and draws upon his childhood for inspiration. He hopes to spread happiness through his work and admires artists such as Norman Rockwell, Alex Ross and Arthur Rackham.
For each piece, he sets up a miniature theatre stage with crumpled paper for the backdrop and the star of the show lit up in the centre. The initial layout is outlined on the canvas in willow charcoal before oil paint is applied onto a fine-grain linen canvas panel, which allows him to capture details.
After capturing superheroes like Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman and Black Panther, Nigel turned his focus to music stars for his Mixtape collection. Researching outfits, poses and unique features (including Freddie Mercury's chest hair!), he created a spectacular line-up that includes everything from pop to rock 'n' roll.
Nigel says: "I love bringing the characters to life, almost like in Disney’s Toy Story film – that’s my thinking behind it!"
Shop Nigel's Autumn Winter // 2020 release here.
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We took a behind-the-scenes tour of Nigel's studio for our Fine Art Collector magazine, and we couldn't help but be slightly jealous! After cuddling his two rescue greyhounds, we were escorted to his purpose-built studio in the back garden, where he has a cabinet full of Funko Pop characters and a drum kit to rest his easel on.
To capture the energy of his famous personas, Nigel watches videos and researches costumes and photography. He also listens to a 'top hits' playlist of each artist for inspiration. Details such as creases, moustaches and facial expressions are captured using fine brushwork.
Want to find out more? Catch up on on our magazine feature here.
Showcasing the very best of our artworks, along with behind-the-scenes updates and interviews, the new issue of our Fine Art Collector magazine is a must-read!
Showcasing the very best of our artworks, along with behind-the-scenes updates and interviews, the new issue of our Fine Art Collector magazine is a must-read!
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