Arttoon

I am Neil G Smith, an artist with a passion for creativity that has been ingrained in me since an early age. With a background in Graphic Design and a lifelong love for drawing and painting, I find immense pleasure and escapism in the world of art.

Early Inspirations
My creative journey was ignited by the colourful world of comic strips and illustrations. From the pages of The Beano, The Broons, Oor Wullie, to the fantastical realms of publications like 2000AD, Mad, DC Comics and Marvel I found great inspiration. It was a dream come true when I was commissioned to create the End Papers for the 2001 and 2003 editions of The Beano.

Art for All
I firmly believe that Art should be inclusive and fun. That's why I ensure these elements are at the forefront of both my private and local authority-run art classes. Art, in my opinion, is a means of social interaction, delight, and enjoyment for all, regardless of age, ability, wealth, or health.

From Classes to Commissions
In addition to my Art Classes, I also undertake more elaborate commission work, infusing a sense of texture and illumination into my creations. I maintain the same vibrancy and enthusiasm that I found in those early comic strips. Some of my work is on display in various galleries across Scotland and in private collections.

Inspiration from Nature
I have often worked 'en plein aire'—whether at home or along the rugged coastline of Cornwall, a constant source of inspiration. A significant highlight was my appearance on Sky Landscape Artist of the Year, where I had the chance to showcase my artistry.

From Canvas to Corporate Events
You can often find me at corporate events, social occasions, or on a commission basis at fairs, indulging in my first love—creating comic strips and caricatures. This is a face-to-face experience where I have the pleasure of meeting and interacting directly with anyone who shares my delight in art.

I complete a variety of Projects from Cartoons, Caricatures, Digital, Landscape, Seascapes, Portraits, Photography and small to very large Murals. For more info please visit my Folio and Archive site at www.arttoon.co.uk.

I graduated as a Graphic Designer in 1990 and from an early age drawing and painting have been a source of immense pleasure and escapism. With a keen interest in creative comic strip writing and illustration from a very early age, The Beano, The Broons, Oor Wullie and fantasy publications such as2000AD were sources of great inspiration. Imagine my delight at being commissioned to create the End Papers for the 2001 and 2003 edition of The Beano.

In my opinion, art should be inclusive and fun - elements I ensure are foremost at both my private and local authority run art classes. I firmly believe that art can be a means of social interaction, delight and enjoyment for all - regardless of age, ability, wealth or health.

Alongside my classes I undertake more elaborate commission work, bringing a sense of texture and illumination to my work, while still maintaining that vibrancy and enthusiasm that those early comic strips evoked. This work is currently on show in various galleries around Scotland or in private collections.

I have worked frequently 'en plein aire' both at home or in Cornwall, whoserugged coastline is another source of inspiration. A recent highlightwould be when I appeared on Sky Landscape Artist of the Year.

You can also often find me at corporate events, social occasions or on a commission basis at fairs indulging in my first love - creating comic strips and caricatures. This is very much a face to face situation with the added bonus of meeting and interacting directly with anyone who shares my delight in Art.