About

Sophia Burnell is a figurative artist specialising in painting landscapes and portraits. She trained at Edinburgh College of Art where she graduated with First Class Honours and then went on to study at London Fine Art Studios where she was awarded the De László scholarship. Capturing a fleeting moment of beauty in nature is central to Sophia’s work. She paints en plein air to absorb fully the feel and magic of the scene before her and she seeks to convey this powerful impact to the viewer. In her recent work she has been particularly drawn to the coast. The light by the sea has a uniquely beautiful quality, whether it is a sparkly, sunny day or an atmospheric, rainy one. She is also attached to painting the rolling countryside and all aspects of nature, particularly the in-between times of dawn and dusk when the light is beautifully soft and hazy, and the colours seem to be amplified. Sophia aims to portray the scene before her in its most beguiling state.

Sophia takes commissions for portraits of people or animals, and landscapes, working from her studio in Edinburgh. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Exhibitions

The Silo Show, The Silo Gallery, Warnford, Hampshire, September 2021

Coasts and Clouds, Solo Exhibition, online, November 2020

Summer Exhibition, Green and Stone Gallery, London, August 2020

Alresford Arts Festival; The Grange, October 2019

Alresford Show; September 2019

Best of Degree Show; Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow, August 2016

FLUX; Whitespace, Edinburgh, April 2016

Asbestos Rest Stop; Edinburgh College of Art, April 2016

Salonathon; Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh; February 2016

ESAF; City Arts Centre, Edinburgh; February 2016

HATCH; The Caves, Edinburgh; December 2015

Low Risk Occupiers; St. Margarets House, Edinburgh; April 2015

Education

2017-2018 | London Fine Art Studios

2013 - 2016 | BA (Hons) Painting | Edinburgh College of Art

2012 | Foundation diploma in art and design | University College Falmouth