Current projects and News

To see new work and current projects visit my Instagram page here.

The 2016 Big Draw Festival at The British Museum

This weekend I led a drawing workshop at The British Museum, taking inspiration from the imagery on the ancient Greek vases that are displayed in room 15. The event was part of The Big Draw, the national campaign for drawing, which is now in its 15th year. 

 

Last day of summer

Watercolour of yucca flowers (13 x 19 cm)

September 2016 

Drawing in the Walled Garden at Dumfries House, Scotland

Forthcoming exhibition at Mall Galleries, London

Choisya

Choisya (2016), pencil and gouache on watercolour paper

I have just completed this pencil and gouache drawing of a Choisya plant that I discovered while walking near my studio in Sussex. Choisya, also known as Mexican Orange Blossom is a popular shrub grown for its evergreen foliage, scented blooms and tolerance of difficult growing conditions. This particular variety of the shrub is called Choisya ternata 'Sundance' and bears glossy, evergreen, bright yellow leaves, which is what attracted me to drawing it. Fragrant white flowers are borne above the leaves in late spring, and again in late summer and autumn. 

The drawing will be on display at the Mall Galleries on 14th and 15th September as part of the exhibition In England We Dream of Gardens. The exhibition is curated by Alice Shirley.

Detail of Choisya (2016), pencil and gouache on watercolour paper

Summer Sketchbook 2016

Rhododendron (young leaves and stems)

Two studies of Yucca flowers

Colour palette

View from my studio window (10pm, East Court)

The Conspiracy

A colour study of The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis (1661–62) by Rembrandt. Drawn on my Samsung tablet at the Rijksmuseum, sat in front of the painting (196 cm × 309 cm). The painting was commissioned by the Amsterdam City Council for the Town Hall. 

A photo of the original painting by Rembrandt

Originally measuring approx. five by five metres and in the shape of a lunette, The Conspiracy of Claudius Civilis was the largest picture Rembrandt had ever painted. After the work had been in place briefly, it was returned to Rembrandt, who may have never been paid. Rembrandt drastically cut down the painting to a quarter of the original size to be sold. The painting, on loan from Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, is currently hanging in the same room as the The Night Watch (1642), also by Rembrandt (see below). 

Scissors

Scissors, ink on paper by Michelle Cioccoloni (2016)

Detail of Scissors, ink on paper by Michelle Cioccoloni (2016)

available to view in the artist's studio, West Sussex

Book release: Pen and Ink

I am very happy to say that a selection of my drawings will be featured in Pen and Ink, which is published in the UK on 2nd June. The book features the work of 34 artists, including three artist friends Olivia Kemp, Tyga Helme and Fraser Scarfe. All artists use pen and ink, although often in very different ways.

Pen and Ink is already available in French and German, and further international editions (including a Spanish version) are planned. The UK edition is available in your local bookshop and online, and worldwide from here.

‘Pen & Ink’

Paperback, 224 pages

Author: James Hobbs

See a preview of the book here.

Boat

'Boat', ink on paper (2016) by Michelle Cioccoloni

Three new drawings will be in an exhibition that opens next Friday at Mercer Chance in Hoxton, London. For more info visit the gallery website. 

Private View Friday 22^nd April, 7-10 pm All welcome

Exhibition open Sat, Sun, Mon 11am - 6pm until 2nd May 2016

Address: Mercer Chance, 253 Hoxton St, London N15LG (Hoxton Overground station). 

Exhibiting artists: Alison Boult, Katie Brookes, Michael Chance, Alex Chilvers, Michelle Cioccoloni, George Colley, Nikki Gardham, Rebecca Harper, Kathryn Maple, Elizabeth McCarten, Rachel Mercer and Leon Pozniakow.