Ian Guy Biography

Having been established for over 25 years Ian Guy is among the foremost automotive artists in the UK , his art being appreciated by numerous national and international collectors. As a professional artist, Ian specialises in cars, and more recently bikes, of every imaginable type. He paints from a depth of knowledge and passion, and each work is inspired and informed by countless hours of personal observation and research.

Ian has become widely known for his technical accuracy, intricate detail, dramatic lighting, and the little “extras” found in most of his compositions.

Born and raised in Gloucestershire Ian moved south soon after his education, his idea being to sell his art to tourists, something he'd been drawn to in his early teens whilst on holiday in Cornwall.

For many years he had his own public Gallery in Saint Ives Cornwall , a town known the world over for its Artist Colony. His love of all things automotive often featured in his work which led him to try selling his work at car shows, historic racing festivals and the like. This was instantly successful and took him all around the country. He soon realised being based so far south was becoming a hinderance and so decided to sell-up and move back "home" where he'd be based more centrally for his expanding new venture.

Now from his studio, in rural Monmouthshire, Ian does a lot of his business by mail order and on line, using his web-site to reach out to car lovers across the

and overseas.
Through the Summer months he, and his partner Mandy (they were at school together) can be found, with their mobile gallery of Ian's original oil paintings and prints, at many shows around the country, all with an automotive nature, including Americana at Newark, the Spring, Summer and Late Summer Nationals at Billing Aquadrome, the NSRA's Billing Fun Run and Hot Rod Supernationals at Old Warden, Biggleswade, the NASC's Street Rod Nationals at Ipswich and Neil's Spring Nationals at Drayton Manor to name just a few . So should you have the inclination, you can meet Ian and Mandy in person. They are an easily approachable couple both with warm and welcoming personalities. And you might even get the chance to watch Ian work on his latest painting.

Ian also does custom paintings of your car from your photos. Contact him at ianguy@motoringartist.com

“Painting, for me, has never been a hobby, it’s not a relaxing experience - I feel compelled, even driven to paint. Since I was a child I have always painted, it is a passion, a real labour of love."

“I start with small compositional sketches in pencil, I might do one, two or several until I feel the composition is right. I try not to use front light, ie. the sun behind the observer, I prefer back light or side light giving long shadows, or diffused light as in a cloudy, or dusty day. I love dust and mist, it helps portray the distance between objects , and sets a mood, giving atmosphere to the whole composition.
When painting at shows you might see me using a small hand-held mirror, and when working in my studio I have a large mirror behind me. A mirror allows me to view the painting in reverse, if something in the painting does not feel right to me, it becomes obvious in the reflection, and I can then easily correct it”