Lingering 2 (Gestural realism portrait) by Cat Northfield in Birmingham

I'm an artist specialising in oil paints, and classically trained in portraiture. In 2025 I received a gold award in 2025 in classical oil portraiture from the Realist Academy of Art in Warrington, England. I love creating expressive portraits, that are concerned with both who the person is, and the story they carry beneath the surface. Colour, expression and atmosphere are key for me. I offer a variety of portrait styles and sizes, ranging from bold, gestural brushstrokes to painstaking traditional glazing techniques, and from 15cm x 15cm to A1 or larger. Recently, my work was selected for the extended longlist in the Jackson's Art Prize 2026 which was a real highlight. I've exhibited in galleries across Wales including MOMA Machynlleth, Queen Street Gallery Neath, and Mid Wales Arts Centre. My background includes a distinction in Art Foundation from Coleg Ceredigion (where I was also awarded 'Student of the Year', and in 2024 I received joint third prize in the Gwenllian Ashley Art Prize.