Nicholas Verrall RBA ROI British, b. 1945

Soft impressionistic renderings of architecture, landscapes, and cityscapes in the Mediterranean

Nicholas Verrall graduated in Fine Art & Printmaking at Northampton School of Art, gaining his degree in 1965. A short period working in picture conservation and restoration followed before demand for his paintings saw Nicholas become a full time artist from 1970. His first one man show was held at the Upper Grosvenor Gallery in 1971. This was followed by regular exhibitions at Seen Gallery, Belgravia. He was first hung at the RA in 1976 and subsequently eleven times after that.

During the late 1970’s/80’s Nick started making prints at the Curwen Studios in association with the Royal Academy Graphics, exhibiting in the Royal Academy Upstairs Gallery and the Royal Society of Etchers and Engravers. Throughout the 1990’s to the present date Nicholas has had regular solo exhibitions at the Catto Gallery, Hampstead. His work has also been included in many major art fairs, including the International Arts Fair, Olympia & the 20th Century British Art fair, London. His work has been exhibited widely in the UK and also in France, Hong Kong, Japan and America.

Nicholas is known for his soft impressionistic renderings of architecture, landscapes, and cityscapes in the Mediterranean and Europe, where light and colour play a major part of his interpretation of a subject. It is the dramatic interplay of light and shade which creates such an evocative atmosphere and appears to capture a transient moment to be shared with the viewer. His palette is subtle, muted with a pastel softness and diffusion, which makes the work glow with a gentle ambiance and a delicate tonality. These stylistic effects are no 'happy accidents', for Verrall is very much a technical artist, who applies incredible application and skill throughout the whole creative process. Nicholas is particularly admires the work of Pierre Bonnard (French, 1867–1947), Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954), and Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926), among others.

“I am constantly fascinated by the way that a certain quality of light can radically alter the character and impact of a subject and make it something unique,” he said of painting. “It is this moment of 'uniqueness' that I try to capture in my paintings through the considered use of colour.”

Society Memberships
Royal Institute of Oil Painters
Royal Society of British Artists

Scholarships, Awards, Prizes
City of London Annual Exhibition Prize
Royal Water Colour Society
B.A.T. through RA
Royal Horticultural Society Medal
RBA Davison Award for Painting
Abbot and Holder Prize at RWS
The Artist Magazine' prize, 2011
The de Laszlo Medal' 2015 from the members of the RBA
Listed in 'Who’s Who in Art' in 1986