Natalie Toplass

Natalie began painting professionally in Shropshire in 2003 after completing a degree in Fine Art and post-graduate studies in Stage and Set Design. Her background in set design heavily influences her dramatic use of scale, light, shadow, and composition. Her work has been exhibited across the globe, including gallery shows in Tokyo, Singapore, London, New York, and Australia, as well as regular features with the Royal Society of Artists. Natalie has been published in Artists & Illustrators, Shropshire Living, and Collect Art magazines. She also shares her expertise by delivering masterclasses at West Dean College in Chichester and serving as a regular Artist in Residence at Nature in Art in Gloucester

Working primarily in acrylics and oils on box canvas, Natalie uses the textured weave of the canvas to catch paint and maximize color vibrancy. She applies multiple thin layers of oil paint using fine rigger brushes (sizes 1–4) to build extraordinary depth, luminosity, and precise line work. Each original piece can take anywhere from two weeks to two months to complete, reflecting a deeply meticulous approach to her craft.

Central to Natalie’s work is an exploration of the natural world, blended with old-world elegance, subtle narrative, and occasional humor. Her paintings draw parallels with the cyclical process of growth and decay, capturing the honesty and vitality of her subjects. By significantly enlarging the scale of elements like petals, feathers, and wildlife against minimalist backgrounds, she intensifies their presence, inviting the viewer to step into a sensory experience beyond the image itself.