Sophie Ploeg

at the V&A Museum, Marcus Gheeraerts, portrait of Margaret Laton, 1620 During the hottest weekend of the year so far I searched through London looking for Jacobean portraits (my research is getting more and more focussed on this period) Despite the weather (grateful for air-conditioned museums!!) I have spent a good few days sketching and studying some of the greatest Jacobean portraits London can offer. The greats of Gheeraerts, Peake, Larkin and many 'unknown artists' were my eye candy amongst the crowds of  tourists. I sketched, to the curiosity of many tourists ('ooh you are an artist!' or 'can I take your picture?') in front of these ruffed ladies of court. A lot of these ladies have been identified as wives and daughters of courtiers, dukes and counts. Many of them had their own circle of power and influence. Many other portraits, however, show unknown people. Faces of, no doubt, rich and fairly powerful people, but not so powerful as to have be...

For the second year running one of my paintings has been selected to be shown alongside members’ work at the Society of Women Artists annual exhibition. Last year I won the Winsor & Newton Choice Award.  This year my painting ‘ Drapery ’, framed in a classical cream  frame is hanging wonderfully. A friend of mine was so kind to take some photos. Now on at the Mall Galleries , at The Mall, London: Society of Women Artists, annual exhibition - until 7 July 2012. Here are some images of it: If you can make it, do visit this exhibition, there is a huge variety of work to be seen. Feel free to leave a comment below.

I went to see the BP Portrait Award exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in London yesterday. I met up with two facebook friends and fellow artists and had a wonderful day.  The BP exhibition is an awesome show and I came back wanting to paint. So, very inspiring indeed. Although I found there were quite a few paintings that used modernist gimmicks and invisible concepts, there were some paintings that showed the work of some of the best painters around at the moment. I feel the term ‘portrait’ was sometimes taken in a very big and wide manner but the majority of works were good-ol portraits indeed. The highlights for me: Alan Coulson. This painting is just so impressive in real life. The picture does not do justice to the real thing. It oozes character. You can feel the bloke in the picture. Technically it is amazing, the tiny brushmarks in his face make the whole thing sing. Richie Culver, 85x59cm. ©Alan Coulson www.alancoulson.com Another highlight was Mary Jan...

Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual Exhibition Portraits 2012 The private view of the RP exhibition was, as always apparently, packed. Through the crowds I managed to have a good look around and found myself amazed at the evocative paintings on display. I had so many favourites I could not show them all. There was an impressive collection of portraits of the Queen, to celebrate her jubilee, and of course the celebs were not lacking in presence either. But a hugely touching portrait by David Cobley of his mother stole the show, as did three paintings by RP member Michael Taylor. Antony Williams won the Ondaatje Prize ('best in show’) and his work is absolutely awesome. His portraits in egg-tempera are stern but endlessly subtle, technically amazing and timeless. My painting had a fantastic spot on the wall of the north gallery, surrounded by RP members’ work. I was honoured it was hanging so well. My friend and model was with me and she got recognised immediately by ...

Katherine, who writes the fabulous ‘Making a Mark’ blog where she keeps up with all that’s happening in the world of art, has written a lovely review of the annual exhibition of the Pastel Society which opened yesterday. ‘Love Pastels 2012’ will be on untill 25 February and my painting ‘Flowerbed’ is featured amongst a huge variety of styles and subject matter - but all in pastel. A brilliant medium, my first love amongst art materials, which deserves every bit of extra attention it can get. Review: "Love Pastels" - The Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2012 Here are some pictures of the show, taken from the review on the Making a Mark Blog. Works by Felicity House, who won The Artist Magazine Award. Works by Matthew Draper, who won the PanPastel Award, for another painting. Patricia Cain’s award winning work, I love here work and I am sure this triptych is hugely impressive in real life! My painting ‘Flowerbed’ Thank you, Katherine!!

Flowerbed, pastel, 65x45cm I am happy to share that my painting ‘Flowerbed’ has been selected to be exhibited at the annual exhibition of the Pastel Society. It went through two stages of selection by a panel of expert judges who saw hundreds of entries. The exhibition, Love Pastels 2012, will be on display at the Mall Galleries in London from 14-25 February 2012. Mall Galleries Pastel Society An image from the Pastel Society exhibition, with thanks to Making a Mark. My fellow pastelist Svetlana Cameron will also exhibit a wonderful piece

Highlights from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Exhibition On his blog, Adebanji Alade gives us his highlights from the exhibition at the Mall Galleries. I so wish I could have gone to see it. David Curtis, Nick Verrall, Combes...just some of my favourites. Happy to see Adebanji gave me a mention too! The exhibition is now finished, my painting sold and is off to the US, and I believe many paintings were shipped off to new homes. David Curtis, Deep Snow Mission 2011 Nicholas Verrall, Still Life on Slate Table For Verrall also check out his wonderful book Colour and Light in Oils, which is beautiful, interesting and useful. Detail of my painting Dream

A lovely review of the ROI Exhibition on the fabulous Making a Mark Blog. Review: 124th Annual Exhibition of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters                                       *Sold!

ROYAL INSTITUTE OF OIL PAINTERS ANNUAL EXHIBITION My painting Dream has been selected for the annual exhibition of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. I am delighted to be included in this great show. I hope you can go and visit to enjoy the world of oil painting. The only major national art society that is devoted exclusively to oil painting, featuring a wide variety of contemporary landscape, figurative and still-life paintings by some of the finest established artists working in oil today, alongside work by non-members. During the annual exhibition a number of prizes and awards are on offer, including the Phyllis Roberts Award of £2,000 for a promising young painter. Other highlights include the Winsor & Newton Under-35 Oil Painting Awards. The Royal Institute of Oil Painters, also known as the ROI, is an association of painters in London and is the only major art society which features work done only in oil. It is one of the 9 member societies that form the Federati...