Read more Guy Allen

Born in 1987, accomplished print maker Guy Allen grew up surrounded by Norfolk’s natural beauty. The theme of the animal world is central to Guy’s work and inspiration, and his limited edition etchings showcase his brilliant draftsmanship in a contemporary way.

Guy graduated from Central St Martin’s School of Art in 2011, but discovered his passion for the traditional etching process while studying at the École Nationale Supérieure Des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 2010. In 2012 Guy trained as an assistant print maker at the highly respected Curwen Studios, Cambridge, under Mary Dalton and Stanley Jones, where he mastered other types of printmaking.

Today Guy works as a full-time artist in his Peckham studio and prints at respected Artichoke Printmaking Studios, accompanied by trusty wirehaired dachshund, Loaf.

To create his pieces, Guy marries the traditional technique of etching with a timeless subject matter and print making processes for a more contemporary twist. The stages involved in creating these original prints include etching, aquatint, screen print and lithography.

Guy has adopted a unique approach to etching by using a stippling effect on the plate, a labour-intensive pointillist technique which gives the images a detailed finish and highlights his skill in freeform drawing and etching.

The horseracing world particularly inspires Guy – he delights in the technical skill required to capture horses’ musculature and movement. Most recently, one of Guy’s etchings, ‘Horse Study Blue’, was awarded runner up at the Society of Equestrian Artists Summer Exhibition at the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art in Newmarket. 

Guy’s work was exhibited in the prestigious Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition in 2013 and 2014, and shortlisted in 2016. He has exhibited internationally in Dubai and New York, and is popular at London’s major art fairs including the Animal Art Fair and the Affordable Art Fair. His work is housed in private collections in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Guy is represented by Grandy Art in London, The Red Dot Gallery in Norfolk and a number of galleries throughout the UK, and also works to commission. He has been featured in House and Garden and Country Life.

With exceptional draftsmanship, distinctive style and striking ability, Guy continually experiments with his approach; combining etchings with lithography, linocut, aquatint and gold-leaf, adding colour, texture and a more tonal quality to the work.  

Guy has been accepted at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition twice and has shown internationally in Dubai and New York. His work is housed in private collections throughout the UK, as well as Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Singapore and Hong Kong and he has been featured in House and Garden and Country Life.