Illustration

Golden Spiral Brighton

Golden Spiral Brighton by Nicole Carman
Golden Spiral Brighton by Nicole Carman
My new illustration/photograph is an original collage of Brighton’s stunning Golden Spiral which stands next to the i360 on the seafront. It is a stunning circular sculpture created with the remains of the West Pier. The Victorian Pier tragically burned down in a fire over 30 years ago.

This is part of my landmark series available to buy via my online Brighton Gallery.
Buy a print or canvas here

Royal Pavilion Brighton

Royal Pavilion Brighton
Royal Pavilion Brighton by Nicole Carman

The beautiful Royal Pavilion in Brighton is one of my favourite landmarks. This is a drawing I created simply with pencil and paper. I painted and coloured in layers to give more texture. I then washed over in blues, pinks and purple hues in a screen print style. It is available to buy in my online gallery.

The Royal Pavilion is an exotic palace in the centre of Brighton with a colourful history. Built as a seaside pleasure palace for King George IV in 1815, this historic house mixes Regency grandeur with the visual style of India and China. It has also served as a civic building, First World War hospital, and has become a true icon of Brighton.

Brighton Bandstand

Brighton Bandstand and Full Moon by Nicole Carman Online Art Gallery

I just finished my brand new print “Brighton Bandstand and Full Moon” with the ethereal West Pier hovering in the corner. I created this image using my original photograph, mixed media, collage and drawing. This is now available to buy as a limited edition Gicleé Print or Canvas via my online Brighton art gallery. I use the highest quality inks and sign all my artworks. You can buy it HERE as well as other original art for sale.

Brighton Bandstand and Full Moon
Buy Brighton Bandstand and Full Moon by Nicole Carman

Potted History. The beautiful and unique bandstand is located on Brighton’s vibrant seafront. It was first opened in 1884 but was restored to its original condition and reopened in 2009. It was designed by Phillip Lockwood, a Brighton Borough Surveyor. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of a Victorian bandstand still surviving in England today.

It is also available to hire and has hosted hundreds of Brighton weddings. I’ve been lucky enough to sell many of my pictures as wedding presents.

The original design featured a bridge linking the upper promenade with the Bandstand. This was removed in the late 1970s but the ground floor is still in use as a café.

Brighton Bandstand and Full Moon is part of my series ‘Landmarks and Iconic Buildings’. Below are 2 more in the collection: Royal Pavilion Brighton and Passaglia and West Pier Murmuration.

Royal Pavilion Brighton
Royal Pavilion Brighton
Passacaglia and West Pier Brighton Murmuration
Passaglia and West Pier Murmuration

New Art by Nicole Carman

Big Wheel and Pier Brighton

Big Wheel and Pier Brighton
Buy Big Wheel and Pier Brighton by Nicole Carman

I’m very excited to be launching a brand new set of Brighton prints available to buy now. In addition to my photography, I have begun to create my own illustrations and screen printing techniques. I really love the texture of these images and the subtle layers of colour that build up.

The first in my Brighton Art series is called ‘Big Wheel and Pier Brighton‘. Sadly the big wheel was only in Brighton for 5 years but it was a great addition to the city. In my print I have kept the Palace Pier in monochrome from my original photograph and played around with the colour orange and used some large paintbrush styles.

You can buy this print framed/unframed or as a canvas. All my works are printed with the best quality inks and signed. Please visit my online shop for full price and size details.

Coronavirus Blues! Get Drawing

If you’re having to self -isolate and as we have all been advised to stay away from all things fun (!) like eating out, bars, pubs, theatres and large gatherings, you may begin to go slightly doolally.

If you’re in need of something relaxing to do at home apart from the usual suspects of TV and reading books then here’s a suggestion. Get a sheet of paper and a pencil and SKETCH SOMETHING. Something from your fruit bowl, the view from your window, an image from a book or draw your pet or your partner. It is SO relaxing, it’s cheap (just paper and pencil that’s it) it’s easy to find an image to draw and it’s a brilliant distraction from all the shite that’s going on in the world with Covid-19.

I believed that I was so poor at drawing when I was at school I just gave up on it. I imagine many other kids and young people do the same and then it feels so alien later in life that we never pick up a crayon, pencil or paintbrush again. But it’s not about recreating an exact replica of something; it’s about having fun and it’s about your interpretation. It doesn’t matter what the result is, it’s probably not going to end up in Tate Modern. One thing I found really useful was flipping an image of something you want to draw upside down (!) and it’s remarkable how much less daunting it then seems to draw a face or a body.

Below is the original drawing of Raphael’s David, underneath it is the one I tried to draw. Ok it’s not great at all, but I had such fun giving it a go. What have you got to lose! Enjoy and stay safe. Love Nicole

Original of Raphael’s David
My Drawing of Raphael’s David