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Original Art, Live Caricatures & a Fantastic Weekend What a fantastic weekend at East Kilbride Comic Con! Over Saturday and Sunday, I had the pleasure of exhibiting my artwork and meeting a fantastic mix of comic fans, families, fellow creatives and visitors. It was a busy and enjoyable couple of days, with plenty to see and do and a brilliant range of vendors bringing something different to the event. For me, it was also a chance to showcase some brand-new original artwork,

There is something very exciting about packing up your artwork and taking it on the road to an art fair. It is a chance to step away from the studio, meet other artists and, most importantly, see how people respond to your work in person. My latest adventure took me north to the Aberdeen Art Fair, and this time I had quite a collection to transport! Five Big Paintings One of the biggest challenges was deciding which original paintings to take. I wanted to show a good represen

Discover Neil G Smith Art Most people know me through Arttoon – my cartoons, caricatures, paintings, illustrations, murals and all the colourful characters that have become part of my artistic world. But there is another side to my creative work that has been growing for many years: photography. That is why I created Neil G Smith Art – The Art of Photography, my dedicated photography website at neilgsmithart.co.uk. A Different Way of Seeing For me, photography has never simpl

From Wedding Caricatures to Carrick Bay Some trips combine work, creativity and a chance to explore somewhere new, and my recent journey down to Dumfries & Galloway was definitely one of those days. The main reason for the trip was a very special one – I was heading to the beautiful Ernespie Hotel to provide live cartoons and caricatures for Vikki and Logan’s wedding. There’s something I particularly enjoy about drawing at weddings. Every celebration has its own atmosphere, a

Horror Art, Stranraer Comic Con and a Trip Down Memory Lane Sometimes you look back at a weekend and realise just how many milestones you've managed to squeeze into a couple of days. This was certainly one of those occasions, as I found myself experiencing a series of firsts, with a horror event, a brand-new comic con and even a little trip down memory lane. My First Show with Blackheart Events The first stop was particularly exciting because it was my first ever show with Bl

From the Studio Gallery to Moffat & Penrith Comic Con It’s been another busy week of art, Comic Cons, travelling and plenty of drawing, so I thought I’d put together a video taking you along for the journey — starting at my Studio Gallery before heading out on the road to Moffat and Penrith. A Look Around the Studio Gallery The video begins at my Studio Gallery, where I take you on a tour of some of the artwork currently on display. There’s a real mixture of styles and subjec

One of My Best Events Yet! There are some events that leave you smiling all the way home, and Inverness Comic Con was definitely one of them. From the moment the doors opened at Inverness Leisure Centre, the atmosphere was fantastic. The crowds were through the doors early and before long my stand was surrounded by people looking through my latest original artwork, choosing prints and, of course, queuing for one of my live full-colour cartoons and caricatures. I've attended m

Creating Personal Pieces That Last a Lifetime There is something incredibly rewarding about creating a piece of artwork that has been designed especially for one person. Every commission is unique, with its own story, memories and personality, making it one of the most enjoyable parts of being an artist. Whether it's a birthday surprise, wedding gift, retirement present, anniversary or simply a special treat for yourself, commissioned artwork offers something that you simply

A Tour of the Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais During our latest adventure in Cascais, we finally stepped inside the magnificent Palácio da Cidadela de Cascais, one of Portugal's most elegant royal residences. Well... I may have told everyone on YouTube that we had been personally invited to the palace. Sadly, the invitation never quite made it through the post, but it certainly made for a good story! In reality, the palace is open to visitors, giving you the chance to wander t

A Fantastic Day of Art, Caricatures and Comic Book Legends Perth Comic Con by BGCP once again proved to be one of the highlights of my events calendar, bringing together comic book fans, movie enthusiasts, cosplayers and collectors for an unforgettable day at the Dewars Centre in Perth. The venue was buzzing from the moment the doors opened, with visitors travelling from across Scotland to celebrate everything from superheroes and horror icons to anime, gaming and pop culture

The Best Car Park in the World? It might sound like an odd statement, but hear me out... I genuinely think the car park at Cascais Marina could be one of the best car parks in the world! During our stay at the magnificent Pestana Cidadela Cascais, perched beside the harbour within the historic fortress walls, we wandered down after hearing there was a real buzz about the place. Jamiroquai was performing later that evening at the nearby Manuel Possolo Racecourse, and curiosity

Discovering the Early Years of Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley in Cascais One of the highlights of our visit to Cascais was discovering a fascinating exhibition at the Centro Cultural de Cascais, showcasing the early lives of two of the world's greatest cultural icons – Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley. Rather than focusing on the superstardom they would eventually achieve, the exhibition offered a rare glimpse into the moments just before their lives changed forever. Throug

Wandering Around Cascais by Night As the sun slowly disappears beyond the Atlantic Ocean, Cascais takes on an entirely different character. The bustling beaches and busy promenades of the daytime give way to a relaxed and atmospheric evening, with the town illuminated by warm lights and the gentle sound of the sea never far away. There is something magical about simply wandering through the streets of Cascais after dark. The cobbled lanes of the old town become quieter, allow

Discovering the Wild Coast of Cascais One of the highlights of our time in Portugal was a wonderful coastal walk from Cascais to some of the area's most famous landmarks, all under glorious sunshine and with the Atlantic providing a constant dramatic backdrop. Our first stop was the spectacular Boca do Inferno, or "Hell's Mouth." This natural sea arch and cave is one of Cascais' most visited attractions and it's easy to see why. The sheer power of the Atlantic Ocean is on ful

A Spectacular Summer Arrival Over Portugal There is something magical about arriving in a new destination by air, especially when the weather is perfect and the views are simply breathtaking. Our recent journey into Lisbon provided exactly that – a stunning summer morning flight over some of Portugal's most beautiful landscapes. As the aircraft began its descent, the first sights to appear below were the rolling hills and historic landscapes surrounding Sintra. Famous for its

Kames Motorsport Race Day 2026 – A Fantastic Day of Speed and Community Spirit There is something truly special about spending a day at Kames Motorsport Complex. Nestled just outside Muirkirk in Ayrshire, the venue once again played host to an exciting Race Day July 2026, bringing together drivers, families and petrol heads for a brilliant celebration of motorsport. From the moment the engines fired into life, there was a real buzz around the circuit. Spectators were treated

Fresh Off the Easel… But Will They Make the Final Exhibition? The studio has been buzzing over the past month, with another exciting collection of paintings now complete as I continue preparing for my upcoming “From Lens to Line” exhibition this October. There’s always a special moment when a painting leaves the easel for the first time. After hours of planning, experimenting, layering paint, and making those final finishing touches, it’s time to step back and see the finishe

The World Cup Has Arrived at Arttoon! Over the past month, something exciting has been happening here at the Arttoon Studio — the world has been visiting! As the football fever builds and the World Cup brings nations together, I’ve been watching visitors from across the globe stopping by my website to discover my artwork. From football fans searching for their favourite Scotland players, to art lovers simply enjoying bold, colourful and creative paintings, it has been fantast

A New Direction in Texture, Colour and Expression As an artist, I’m always exploring new ways to push my work forward, challenge my creativity, and discover fresh approaches to capturing the world around me. My latest collection of paintings marks an exciting step in that journey, as I’ve been immersing myself in the expressive and wonderfully unpredictable world of palette knife painting. For this new body of work, I wanted to move away from precision and allow texture, move

Originally created in 2015, The World of Roald Dahl mural at East Kilbride Arts Centre has remained a distinctive and much-loved feature within the space. Inspired by the imagination, humour, and slightly mischievous spirit of Roald Dahl’s storytelling, the mural was designed to bring a sense of narrative play and visual excitement into the arts centre environment.