I’m Stephen Saunders, also known as Articus

I recreate photographs using pencils - graphite; mainly soft and very soft grades, coloured pencils - dry watercolour pencils, polychromos, crayola, chalk and other dry media, to produce a hand drawn image to mount and frame as you wish. The only wet medium I use is a dilute ink wash, and occasionally a sharp concentration of ink for a detail such as a whisker. These range from A4 or A3 size, (42 cm by 29 cm approximately) on paper, at around £150 to £350, up to A0 at £2,000 and even bigger. My largest work to date has been the giant lion and tiger portraits which are 1220mm x 1740mm and are selling for £5,000.

I can also work in oil on canvas, a more time consuming and therefore expensive option.

Whenever possible I use my own photographs, but clearly the opportunity for this when it comes to wild animals like those from the heart of Africa is limited, at least until I go there myself.

For interior designers and decorators I am happy to create new work in a tailored colour palette or style to suit a client’s preferences and decor. (Something other artists might frown on!)

I began a long time ago, selling my first picture, a surreal interpretation of cricketers at the crease, in pen and ink (coloured) when I was fifteen years old. Until recently my drawings have been small, A4, and A3. I have lately discovered the joy of going big, and am now concentrating on A0 and bigger. If you need something really impressive on your wall, get in touch. I will even produce something to match your home colour scheme if you wish.

Lastly, whilst I do offer some prints, and many of my images are available as greetings cards, I intend to do so less and less. My hand drawn and signed originals are appreciating in value, and the fewer prints the better.

Background:

At the age of 67 now, I am gradually retiring from my regular job in favour of my drawing which I hope to still be doing at 87. I have had a wonderful life so far, full of experiences and adventures, and so it continues. But I won’t be here for ever, and it’s not up to me when my work will end. Buy something now, and it may well appreciate.

I live in Hindhead in Surrey, and have a small studio near Petersfield.