Painting the human condition with a counter-gaze.

About me

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TEDx talk

Portrait Artist Of The Year 2023

“Thank you for a terrific day, and a fabulous portrait... I love the finished piece, and obviously on the day the right person won”
— Jay Rayner
“Gail opens up another angle in portraiture. She can conjour up character and personality. That’s where she finds likeness. We’ve never seen that before.”
— Tai Shan Sheirenberg

What’s hot?

Click this image to view my newest non-commissioned output, and plans for 2025:

hello world!

Meet me behind the bike shed glossy veneer of this website. Social media is an extension of my studio - a showcase and a playground.

Please see my accounts on your favourite platforms using the links below. You will find me demonstrating, sketching, and occasionally actually finishing stuff.

Follow me on instagram @gailreidartist

#Dungscape progress update - finally got my magic overalls back on, spurred by an ego-inflating chat with the wonderful @laurawilliamsartist . Got playful with the dungpat texture (inspired by @pjkempart ), added ragwort and rabbit, then sketched out
Sketches from @wwtslimbridge today, the first 2 are a single A2 sheet, the rest A3. Completely forgot my cold for a few hours! Met some lovely friendly experts who told me about various birds I wouldn't otherwise have noticed. I've been using Snapsee

Follow my figure work on instagram @gailreidfigures

A brilliant night of life drawing set within the @rwabristol annual show. Such a treat to sketch @isadoraartmodel (who I LOVE drawing) again. Also short poses by Jonathon, who I enjoyed drawing for the first time - he made great use of the brown fabr
A wonderful gesture by Bianca Pavetti @lamounstrua from the @draw_brighton Patreon channel. One of the best things about using recorded life modelling sessions is not having to leave the house when the muse strikes, eg at 10.30pm! And being able to f
Brilliant set of standing poses by @_belinda_jane with @sarareevedraws keeping us engaged and on time (5x1 minute, 5x3 minute, plus final 30 minute)for @draw_brighton online life drawing. Find them on Patreon, there are 2 more sessions today, with a
Sketches in 5,10,10,15,15 minutes respectively. Brilliant poses by Emma - c/o @rwabristol drawing / portrait club - great format facilitated by @giulianaterranartist and @laurence.kell : 2 hours (with breaks) dotting freely between portrait and figur