Customer service 0844 879 7438Your shopping basketYour wishlist

John Benfield



I am largely self taught, but have studied oil painting under a tutor many years ago, but found drawing to be more to my taste. I have worked in pencils and in inks, but eventually settled for working in scraperboard. This medium is usually associated with ready-made kits. My work is all originals and I buy my board in bulk with much larger sizes than sold in craft shops. I originally worked in black and white, and still do from time to time, however, I much prefer to introduce full colour into my pictures. This was very difficult to do with any success in the early days. I tried watercolour, ink and even felt tip pens! None of which were satisfactory and all gave the image a very flat look. It was not until I discovered how to apply coloured wax to the engraving that I was able to produce pictures in colour to my satisfaction. This method is very time consuming and adds many hours to the slow process of detailed engraving. I hope the effort is worth it. I only draw animals and birds as I find the medium of scraperboard lends itself the to textures of fur and feather. One of my very early black and white pictures of the giant panda Chia Chia, hangs in the offices of The Zoological Society of London in Regents Park. I donated it in the hope it would help in some way to promote the conservation of pandas. The Society produced some 10,000 greetings cards from the drawing, which were sold at London Zoo. I have many pictures scattered far and wide both in the UK and overseas. I regret in some ways not recording where most went. I did take several years break from my drawing to pursue the writing of a book entitled " A Potters Life II" in conjunction with the late Guy Sydenham who was a master potter with Poole Pottery for most of his working life. That drew me into pottery at the expense of my drawing. Now the clock has turned full circle and I am back drawing with pottery taking second place.
Leopard by
Magnifying glass Leopard
Size Size: 14.00" x 15.00"
Price Price: £349.00
Tiger by
Magnifying glass Tiger
Size Size: 14.00" x 15.00"
Price Price: £349.00
Male Lion by
Magnifying glass Male Lion
Size Size: 22.00" x 25.00"
Price Price: £499.00
Lynx by
Magnifying glass Lynx
Size Size: 10.50" x 12.00"
Price Price: £249.00
Ocelot by
Magnifying glass Ocelot
Size Size: 10.50" x 12.00"
Price Price: £249.00
Caracal by
Magnifying glass Caracal
Size Size: 10.50" x 12.00"
Price Price: £249.00
Serval by
Magnifying glass Serval
Size Size: 10.50" x 12.00"
Price Price: £249.00
Cheetah by
Magnifying glass Cheetah
Size Size: 14.00" x 15.00"
Price Price: £349.00
Cougar by
Magnifying glass Cougar
Size Size: 14.00" x 15.00"
Price Price: £349.00
9 artworks.
New to buying original art and sculpture? Useful tips to get you started:
Choosing original art for your home | Art for the office | Why more people are buying original art today | Benefits of owning original art | A brief guide to sculpture | Buying contemporary photography | Buying original art as a gift | Impressionism | Abstract art | Oil painting styles | Art buying trends | Art online | Original art | Buy art | Art to buy | Sell your art
Artists' corner   Originals   Erotic art   Photography   Urban art   Pop art   Limited editions   Open editions   Art gift vouchers   Basket   About   Articles   Contact   Privacy   Terms   Links   Site map   Log in  Your country: