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Ben (@justben) - Collective Profile | London, GB Artist. Thoughtful arty type in South London. Practicing painting, kindness, piano, gratitude... Looking for creative, genuine people… my tribe. Follow @okbutwhatisit on Instagram. Recent posts: an abstract oil pastel drawing on canvas depicts a vibrant sunrise with radiating lines of orange and yellow. the lower portion of the image features swirling blues, reds, and greens, suggesting a landscape or abstract forms., a still life painting depicts a blue and white enamel bowl filled with green apples and pears, placed on a striped cloth. a glass of water sits to the left, and a dark background with blue vertical lines is visible behind the arrangement., a small lizard basks on a textured stone surface with the ocean and crashing waves in the background., a sunny day in funchal, madeira, with a view of a church tower and outdoor dining areas. the image captures the vibrant atmosphere of the city with lush greenery and historic architecture., an illustration depicts a gay couple embracing and about to kiss while seated on a colorful striped bench, possibly on public transport. the artwork features a vibrant, graphic art style with bold colors and simplified forms., the national theatre on london's southbank is illuminated with vibrant pink lights at night, with the moon visible in the sky., a split image shows a metal plate with a design etched into it, and below it, a print of that design on paper. the design features a central circular element with radiating lines, resembling a sun or moon, set against a textured background., this is a two-tone drypoint etching on paper, depicting a stylized landscape with a prominent red sun and a barren tree. the artwork has a unique energy and artistic composition., a monochromatic drypoint print in shades of blue features abstract and surreal elements. a large, circular eye-like shape dominates the upper right quadrant, while stylized tree branches and a textured landscape fill the left side., a shadow of a child is cast on a wall, with the child's head and shoulders clearly visible. the shadow appears to be leaning on a surface., an abstract cyanotype print features geometric shapes and textures in varying shades of blue. a bright white circle is a focal point against the darker, textured background., four abstract watercolor sketches are laid out on a wooden surface. the sketches feature bold colors and geometric shapes, with some resembling stylized birds or faces., a picnic spread of cheese, baguette, grapes, and radishes is laid out on a park bench. the food is arranged on paper and in a small box, with a few pieces of cheese, a pat of butter, and two halves of a baguette visible., a breathtaking sunset viewed from above the clouds, with vibrant orange and yellow hues illuminating the horizon. the vast expanse of clouds stretches out below, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere., a close-up shot of a printmaking plate with ink applied, showing a detailed etching of a torso. the artist's caption describes the inking process as an artistic element where ink is selectively wiped away to create highlights and shadows., .
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Ben @justben

Thoughtful arty type in South London. Practicing painting, kindness, piano, gratitude... Looking for creative, genuine people… my tribe.
London, GB
My Art Website
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An abstract oil pastel drawing on canvas depicts a vibrant sunrise with radiating lines of orange and yellow. The lower portion of the image features swirling blues, reds, and greens, suggesting a landscape or abstract forms.
A quick and dirty oil pastel drawing just to see how they go on canvas. Might work the idea up if I find time. So many ideas right now.
A still life painting depicts a blue and white enamel bowl filled with green apples and pears, placed on a striped cloth. A glass of water sits to the left, and a dark background with blue vertical lines is visible behind the arrangement.
Louis Fratino, ‘Apples and Pears’, 2026 If you’re in London go check out Louis’ exhibition at David Zwirner; it is incredible. Sexual, tender, wistful. There’s lots to love but I particularly enjoyed this one; surely the most erotically charged bowl of fruit in art 😳
All I want to do is watch the sea with the sun on my face.
A sunny day in Funchal, Madeira, with a view of a church tower and outdoor dining areas. The image captures the vibrant atmosphere of the city with lush greenery and historic architecture.
Bom dia! Funchal, Madeira
An illustration depicts a gay couple embracing and about to kiss while seated on a colorful striped bench, possibly on public transport. The artwork features a vibrant, graphic art style with bold colors and simplified forms.
By Daniel Torrent (see my previous post!)
The National Theatre on London's Southbank is illuminated with vibrant pink lights at night, with the moon visible in the sky.
This was a mood. ❤️
A split image shows a metal plate with a design etched into it, and below it, a print of that design on paper. The design features a central circular element with radiating lines, resembling a sun or moon, set against a textured background.
First print of this new design - a few things that I didn’t like / don’t read well. The plate (above) is updated so now I get to go to bed excited to wake up and make my new print! Every day can be like Christmas when you embrace a creative life! Do it!
This is a two-tone drypoint etching on paper, depicting a stylized landscape with a prominent red sun and a barren tree. The artwork has a unique energy and artistic composition.
Two tone version from the same plate as the previous print. This took an age but I quite like the result. Same ‘scene’ but very different energy I feel. Tetra-pack drypoint on paper, 2026.
A monochromatic drypoint print in shades of blue features abstract and surreal elements. A large, circular eye-like shape dominates the upper right quadrant, while stylized tree branches and a textured landscape fill the left side.
Untitled, 2026 Tetra-pack drypoint on paper
me me me
An abstract cyanotype print features geometric shapes and textures in varying shades of blue. A bright white circle is a focal point against the darker, textured background.
Version 3… I like this one more I think. No chine-collé - if the circles look whiter that’s the contrast brightening illusion in action. They’re just the brown background of the paper believe me.
Four abstract watercolor sketches are laid out on a wooden surface. The sketches feature bold colors and geometric shapes, with some resembling stylized birds or faces.
A burst of activity getting my ideas down in quick watercolour sketches. I will work some of these ideas into proper paintings and etchings. Funny how I adore Bonnard and his quirky, intimate domestic scenes but I can’t paint like that nor do I want to imitate any other painter. What I can do is absorb that liberation of colour and his excellent way of blocking your exit from the frame and leading you in, and transfer those apsects to my own style. So maybe you can see some of that in these sketches?
A picnic spread of cheese, baguette, grapes, and radishes is laid out on a park bench. The food is arranged on paper and in a small box, with a few pieces of cheese, a pat of butter, and two halves of a baguette visible.
A little Parisian picnic at the Jardin des Plantes. Should have taken some wine 😭
A breathtaking sunset viewed from above the clouds, with vibrant orange and yellow hues illuminating the horizon. The vast expanse of clouds stretches out below, creating a serene and ethereal atmosphere.
Leaving London…
A close-up shot of a printmaking plate with ink applied, showing a detailed etching of a torso. The artist's caption describes the inking process as an artistic element where ink is selectively wiped away to create highlights and shadows.
And now the inking, which might actually be the most artistic part. It's not only the lines that are descriptive; I can selectively wipe away highlights and leave in shadows by choosing what ink to leave behind.
My lounge at midnight is a mood
A surreal, pseudo-biological abstract art piece created with ink on washi paper. The textured print features organic shapes and dark, earthy tones, evoking a sense of mystery and the unknown.
Untitled reduction monoprint, ink on washi, 2026. Leaning in to the surreal pseudo-biological theme. Open to names for any of these... Things. 👀
A close-up abstract monoprint features textured organic shapes in shades of brown ink on paper. The artwork has a rich, tactile quality with swirling lines and clustered circular forms.
Untilted, reduction monotype, ink on paper, 2026
A black and white reduction monoprint on toned paper features an abstract composition with intricate textures and patterns. The artwork has a dynamic, almost organic feel, with swirling elements and sharp, tooth-like shapes.
Untitled, reduction monoprint on toned paper, 2026
A black and white reduction monoprint features two thistles against a dark, textured background. The artwork is rendered on toned paper, showcasing the intricate details of the flowers and their stems.
Some proper pictures of these monoprints i’ve been working on recently… Untitled, reduction monoprint on toned paper, 2026
Poetic or tragic?
An abstract oil pastel drawing features swirling organic shapes in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, red, and brown. The textured artwork has a dynamic and energetic feel, with circular elements scattered throughout.
Myriad Oil pastel on paper, 2026
Fanal forest, Madeira. What a magical place.
An abstract watercolor painting depicts a distorted, colorful portrait with exaggerated features, including wide eyes and an open mouth revealing teeth. The background is a dark, moody blue, contrasting with the vibrant, almost unsettling tones of th
Some nice news for me; after a few years of trying I finally got selected for the national Discerning Eye open call - I have two pieces selected for the show so if you’re in London mid Nov you’ll be able to see my work in person. Both pieces will be framed and for sale. 🗓️ The Discerning Eye exhibition will take place at the Mall Galleries from 13 to 21 November 2026, and online until 1 January 2027.
A drawing on paper depicts an imaginary landscape with a sunset over the ocean, trees on either side, and a moon in the sky. The artist notes that repeating the same idea in different mediums helps develop it in the mind.
Imaginary landscape with thieves. Pencil and crayon on paper, 2026.
A couple sits intimately on a London Underground train, one man holding a bouquet of white roses. The image is overlaid with text that reads 'Finally the photo I love so much!'.
Any London Collectivistas recognise this couple travelling on the OG? The person that took this poignant pic shared it on Instagram and that resulted in this moment being immortalised in a painting by Daniel Torrent (I'll share it next). I'd love for them to know.
Two prints are displayed side-by-side. The top print is in black and white, while the bottom print is rendered in shades of blue. Both prints feature abstract, textured imagery with a central circular element and a bright spot above it, suggesting a
Prints 2 and 3. I love the blue (Prussian, obvs). It gives these prints a nocturnal character. Tetra-pack drypoint on paper.
Four framed artworks are displayed, three of which are prints in blue and black, and one is a colorful sketch. The text overlay reads, "Three prints, with the sketch that inspired them..."
I have at least two more ideas for this print; firstly roughness following the colour scheme from the sketch (challenging!) and another mostly in iron oxide red with a little black. Will probably do an all black one if the plate holds up. (Does anyone actually read this? If you do don’t be shy about saying hi!)
A grayscale selfie of a man with a beard and stubble resting his chin on his hand. He is wearing a t-shirt and appears to be in a dimly lit room with string lights in the background.
The artist in the early hours of the morning, inking and printing, the sound of rain falling, feeling kinda … noir.
A framed artwork titled 'Grosse Landschaft' by Dieter Roth, created in 1969. The piece is a mixed-media composition featuring cheese, roofing felt, and plastic mounted on wood, depicting an abstract landscape with a prominent, textured brown form res
Dieter Roth (1930-1998) Grosse Landschaft 1969 Cheese (yes cheese), roofing felt and plastic on wood. Kind of jealous of this one. I liked it when I thought it was a painting but love it knowing it's cheese. Almost 60 year old cheese. Bonkers.
Out for my stroll. If you're feeling kinda shitty, take that attitude out to the park and leave it there. Metaphorically.
An abstract drypoint print features geometric shapes and lines, with a vibrant orange circle and a dark gray circle adding pops of color. The printmaking technique of chine-collé is used to embed thin tissue paper into the artwork.
Tetra pack drypoint, ink with chine-collé on toned paper. Chine-collé is the technique of incorporating tissue paper into a print. In this case it’s the orange bit. It is glued (face up) and goes on top of the plate before it goes through the press. With the tissue being so thin it had no relief now, it is fully embedded to the print. A cool way to add colour without having to mess around with multiple inks!
A framed oil painting depicts a woman in a green dress sitting at a round table with a white cat perched on its surface. The background is a vibrant red, and the table is adorned with various objects, including a bowl of fruit and a plate with food.
Bonnard… one of the all time greats. The Demanding Cat… If the world goes to shit, this is the painting I’m going to steal. Beautiful colouration and quirky composition, a bit melancholic, very funny too. A perfect painting if you ask me. Musee D’Orsay, Paris.
Charming bit of Paris (St George).
A close-up etching of a nude torso, rendered in warm bistre ink. The artist expresses satisfaction with the ink choice and the naturalistic depiction of hair, while acknowledging areas for improvement in drawing, proportions, and shading techniques.
And here's the print. What I like - ink choice (bistre) feels warm and classy - the hair (I was worried it would look too random and I should have made more deliberate marks but I think it looks fairly natural) - some of the shading works (glad I got all the ink off the nips 🤭) What I need to improve: - the drawing is plain bad, I need to practice more, especially proportions and better shading technique -I must resist the temptation to outline things and instead properly delineate with shading... - OR lean more fully into a graphic style
A pencil sketch of a male torso is laid out next to a partially completed etching of the same subject. The etching appears to be covered in foil, with the drawing showing the details of the chest, shoulders, and nipples.
First the drawing then the etching Tomorrow the inking and the printing
A dark, textured reduction monoprint on washi paper features an abstract, organic shape with wing-like elements and a long, curved tail. The artwork, created with ink, evokes a sense of movement and depth.
Untitled reduction monoprint, ink on washi, 2026.
An abstract, sepia-toned printmaking artwork titled 'Untitled' features a circular element with radiating lines, reminiscent of a fan or sunburst, set against a textured background. The piece, created with ink on paper, showcases a unique blend of or
Untitled, reduction monotype, ink on paper, 2026
A black and white ink drawing with a touch of yellow watercolor depicts a tree in a garden at night, with a glowing orb resembling the moon in the background. The artwork features a textured fence and dense foliage, creating a moody and atmospheric s
Experimenting… ink and watercolour pigments on paper, 2026
A dark, textured abstract monoprint features swirling lines and rough patches of black and white. A small, bright circle is visible in the center of the piece.
Untitled, reduction monoprint on toned paper, 2026
A mixed media artwork features a close-up, abstract depiction of a torso, rendered in graphite with touches of watercolor. The textured surface and limited color palette create a unique artistic impression.
I don’t like to waste ink so I’ve making a ghost print after every monoprint. On this one i’ve added a little playful watercolour and graphite. 😇
Three black and white prints of sunflowers are displayed on a table. The prints appear to be created using a relief printing technique, possibly etching or linocut, showcasing intricate details of the flowers and stems against textured backgrounds.
Another fun night of printing. 🙂
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