Artist: Hamish Blakely

Hamish come from a theatrical background. His childhood home was a place where extraordinary things happened. Drawing was the original expression. Hamish would draw an awful lot, trying to emulate other artists, to understand how they created what they did.

Having stubbornly lived in the world of black and white, Hamish made himself paint at age 18. This was the first time he had made a painting so seriously. It was a portrait of his Dad. This was the turning point. Painting replaced drawing completely.

He studied at Wimbledon School of Art and Kingston University, and only drew again at college to completely give it up when he left. He now paints immediately, considering preparatory sketches unnecessary. Hamish became an illustrator shortly after leaving college and received a national award.