Nigel Humphries' monsters and superheroes
Nigel Humphries isn’t scared of The Joker, Doctor Octopus or Thanos, and he doesn’t think we should be either. “My aim is to make people smile when they look at my work,” he says. “I want to bring a sense of nostalgia and happiness.”
Since wowing the judges of our 2016 IN:SIGHT competition, the Stoke-on-Trent based artist has warmed hearts around the globe with his adorable miniature superheroes. His paintings are based on the characters created by DC Comics and Marvel legend Stan Lee.
We’ve done some snooping into Nigel’s inspirations and the progression of his style. Read on to find out more!
An imaginative childhood
Nigel loved painting and as a child drew dinosaurs, superheroes and monsters. Imagination has always played a strong part in his creativity, and TV programmes such as Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds sparked the idea of toys being brought to life.
Teenage experimentation
As a teenager, Nigel experimented with pastels and oil paints. He would take himself to the local library to study books on art and the Old Masters, copying their work to learn their craft whilst developing his own style through experimentation and exploration.
Finding superheroes
After school, Nigel found a job in the printing industry, specialising in lithographic prints. Through this, he gained a strong understanding of colours and how to mix them – along with the importance of paying attention to detail. Still-life painting (including Smarties and Cadbury Creme Eggs!) led to the depiction of superhero characters he is known and loved for today.
Featured Artist
From the blog
Hitting the high notes with Nigel Humphries' Mixtape
23/09/2020
While these musical superstars may be tiny, their attitudes certainly aren't! Click to discover some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll, plus a behind-the-scenes peek at Nigel's visit to Castle HQ.Batman Through the Ages: Gotham City Suite by Nigel Humphries
04/08/2022
From early images of Batman in 1970s comics, to some of the best known character interpretations from the films, this unique collection by Nigel Humphries is sure to dazzle and thrill fans and collectors.Thank you for signing up to our newsletter.
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