Simon Burdge Artwork and Prints

The Zebra – Fun Fair Carousel Photography  The Zebra – A Carousel Moment of Joy As an artist, one of the most common questions I’m asked is whether I use photographs as source material for my paintings and drawings. The answer is a definite yes . Sometimes I take pictures while drawing a subject — capturing angles, lighting, and details that I might not have time to record in my sketchbook. Other times, I take photographs purely for their own sake, simply because something catches my eye and sparks my imagination. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to share some of these photographs with you — images that have inspired me in my creative work or made me smile. The first in this series is a photograph I call The Zebra . I spotted this zebra at a fun fair, proudly positioned on a carousel among other colourful creatures. There’s something irresistibly joyful about its expression — the broad grin, the upright ears, the confident tilt of the head. Its bold black-and-white stripes seem ...

  By Simon Burdge Sketched at the British Museum, this drawing explores the symbolic power of ancient objects and the modern meanings we bring to them. During a recent visit to the British Museum, I was stopped in my tracks by a small carved figure made of amethyst. Its shape felt ambiguous—was it a figure gripping a sword, or simply someone folding their hands in stillness? I was drawn to that uncertainty and began sketching on the spot. Later, while revisiting the sketch, it reminded me of an amulet—an object designed not just to be looked at, but to be held close, trusted, and carried—a kind of spiritual tool. In the drawing, I used layers of blue and black ink, with energetic crosshatch marks and long brushstrokes to evoke a kind of atmosphere—a hard, ancient sky pressing down, or perhaps a protective energy pushing outward. The figure became less about the details and more about presence—a guardian, of sorts. Then and Now: The Amulet's Role In ancient times, amulets were often...

Two Feet in Bed A chalk drawing on paper or possibly even oil pastel in four colours arranged in a row, interrupted perhaps by teeth or feet, subject unknown. This piece was created using either chalk or oil pastel on paper, showcasing four bold colours arranged in a row, interspersed with shapes that might resemble teeth or feet. The subject remains open to interpretation.  #abstractart #oilpastel #chalkdrawing #contemporaryart #artprocess  

  A gouache painting of a Flower. I use the shape of a flower pretty regularly. I find it a very satisfying shape. On this occasion, I coloured it with a variety of gouache paint. This flower shape is one I return to often in my artwork—there’s something deeply satisfying about its form. For this piece, I used a mix of vibrant gouache paints to bring it to life. Don't hesitate to contact Simon Burdge at my email address or via the direct message in my profile. The shop is also visible on my profile. #flowerart  #gouachepainting  #abstractfloral  #artistprocess  #creativeexpression