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  Exhibitions  |  Publications  |  Videos  |  Illustration  |  Licensing Artwork  |  Watercolour Artist Diary

I am a watercolour artist based in Scotland and I paint nature in detail. Everything from flowers to wildlife, via pet portraits and illustration with detours into miniature art whenever I can.

I was born in St. Ives, Cornwall, daughter of potter John Struthers (take a moment to look at his incredible work on the Stoneware Ceramics website). I first came to Orkney in 1986 and live with my husband and children on the shores of Scapa Flow - surrounded by paintings-in-waiting!

Many of my paintings have been reproduced as prints and  a wide range of work is licensed commercially around the world. I work mainly to commission for private individuals, companies and organisations and I also exhibit my own pieces regularly in Britain, Europe and the USA.  My job to me is a privilege and a constant learning curve - whatever the subject.

I paint nature in all its forms. Botanical studies were my first subjects and flowers continue to be a very important part of my work. I also paint wildlife and farm animals, together with custom pet portraits and illustration. The variety is fantastic and endlessly inspiring. I use watercolour (both transparent and opaque) - an incredibly versatile medium and I work from life, photographs and imagination; oftentimes all three in the same painting.

In 2008 I decided to make more time for my personal projects as well, discovering the world of miniature art at around the same time and becoming instantly hooked. I have been deeply honoured to not only have my paintings juried into major exhibitions but also to win awards in the UK and USA, including the prestigious Gold Memorial Bowl from the Royal Miniature Society.  Read more about my miniature paintings here.

'Watercolour Artist Diary' is my art blog which allows me to go into more detail on my work in progress and latest news. It is regularly updated - do have a look and let me have your comments and suggestions!

Watercolour Artist Diary

Step by Step Videos

Join me in these step by step demos showing some of my paintings from start to finish. (You can double click on the videos to see them much larger on YouTube and I recommend selecting 'HQ' to watch them in high quality). If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment and I will do my best to answer!

Ural Owl on Arches HP paper

Rose Painting in Miniature

Miniature Art

    Recent & Forthcoming Exhibitions

2008

2009

Hilliard Society of Miniaturists, UK (Mary Scott Kestin Award for Animals & Wildlife)

Llewellyn Alexander Gallery 'A Million Brushstrokes' , London : year round.

Seaside Gallery, USA

Society of Women Artists : Mall Galleries, London 23rd April - 2nd May.

Parklane Gallery, USA

Society of Botanical Artists : Westminster Central Hall, London 24th April - 3rd May.

Royal Miniature Society, UK (Gold Memorial Bowl & Llewellyn Alexander Subject Miniature Award)

Hilliard Society International Exhibition of Miniature Art : Wells May 30th - June 7th. (Awarded HS signature status)

Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society, USA (Animals & Wildlife Award third place)

Society of Wildlife Artists : Mall Galleries, London Sept 23rd - Oct 4th

Miniature Art Society of Florida, USA (Permanent Collection Purchase Award)

Elder Street Gallery, Houston, Texas USA.  Sept 19th - Oct 4th.

 

Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers (RMS)   Mall Galleries, London. October 13th - 25th (Elected Associate Member - ARMS)

 

Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers Society Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, MA, USA . Nov 22nd - Jan 2nd (Honourable Mention Animals & Wildlife)

 

Miniature Art Society of Florida:  Leepa Rattner Museum Of Art, Florida USA . Jan 17th - Feb 7th 2010 (Opaque Watercolour award 3rd place)

 Publications

The Watercolor Artists' Flower Handbook
Books featuring artwork by Tracy Hall

The Orkney Book of Birds

I recently completed the full colour illustrations for this beautifully produced book with author Tim Dean. Orkney is an internationally important location for birds and this volume is the result of four years collaboration, taking you on a tour of the islands and the species you are likely to see here.

The Watercolour Flower Artist's Bible

This wonderfully practical book defies it small size by covering a wealth of topics from the basics (including materials and techniques) through to analyzing structure and composition. It includes examples from eighteen artists working in widely ranging styles and step by step demonstrations, tips and tricks. 

Watercolour Flower Painter's Handbook

I contributed to this book edited by Patricia Seligman. The illustrations used  are from my sketchbooks and have never been published before. My work is featured in a six page chapter entitled 'Learning through detailed sketching'. "Based on the sketchbooks of some of the leading floral artists working today, this beautifully illustrated book gives step by step demonstrations and practical advice in a variety of styles and mediums."

Long and short stitch Embroidery:  A collection of Flowers

My flower paintings have also used by Trish Burr in her latest book of Botanical Embroidery published by Sally Milner. She has expertly converted them into floral 'needle paintings' and the results are amazing!

A Masterclass in Drawing and Painting Animals

I shall be a contributing artist in this forthcoming book by wildlife artist Jonathan Truss from Anness Publishing.

LEISURE PAINTER MAGAZINE - Miniature painting article and step by step feature (Oct 09)

(Click here to download in PDF format) -  Article  |  Step by Step

Artists & Illustrators Magazine - Botanical Artists Feature (June 09); Interview and article (Sept 09).

(Click here to download in PDF format) -  Interview  |  Article

The Animal World Magazine - interviews and cover features (Nov 05 & Nov 06).

Magazine articles - Tracy Hall

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Natural History Illustration

Illustrations of dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies were commissioned for the Orkney ID Field Guides depicting the nine most common species of Butterfly found here, together with  the Dragonflies and Damselflies found in the islands. This is hoped to be an ongoing project illustrating the flora and fauna of Orkney.

Signed archival Prints and cards of the paintings are now available - please visit the Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies page and for more information.

These botanical studies were completed for the Vikings Heath Project run by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and set up to raise awareness of and preserve the maritime heath and grassland environment.

 

My very grateful thanks go to the following people for their generosity in allowing me to use their photos for reference as well - Mike and John Struthers, Mungo Montgomery, Judy Schrader, Lesley Hartman, David Jacks and Brian Hewitt.

Also to all the other people who let me sneak up on their pets, farm animals and other furry or feathered charges, those who have helped me track down hard to find flowers, and last but not least to my husband for growing such a wonderful garden full of subjects for me to paint year after year and my kids for putting up with a mother who paints! 

Common Seals photo copyright tracy hall 2006

© Copyright Tracy Hall 1997 - 2009. All rights reserved. All artwork images on this website are protected by international copyright law. No image on this website may be used for any commercial or non-commercial purposes without prior written permission. To arrange a licensing contract to use images, please get in touch with the artist or her agents.