Features

From stage to page: Meet the London theatre illustrator

Andy Robinson spends his spare time turning his favourite shows into art

These caricatures of London theatre shows are are just part of a collection of over 300 drawings by artist Andy Robinson.

A trained set and costume designer, Robinson works at a theatre bar, but has been illustrating some of London's biggest theatre stars since 2012. He used to keep a scrapbook of press clippings and photos to remember shows he had seen, but felt they "didn't capture his personal memories of the play". So he took matters into his own hands.

"I began to make sketches of plays, trying to capture my favorite scenes and characters, translating my personal reactions to the play in an image.

"I make discreet scribberly drawings in a sketchbook during a play, and then try to make sense of them after a show."

Each drawing takes Robinson about two days to complete. He draws out the composition with a pencil, and then uses a dip pen technique (dipping the nib of a fountain pen in ink) to create the final piece. He cites artists such as Al Hirschfeld and Ken Fallin as his artistic inspiration.

Despite some incredible pieces of art featuring the likes of Imelda Staunton, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, it doesn't always go to plan.

"When working on a drawing of The Winter's Tale, it took a week to get something I was happy with. I have half a sketchbook full of horrific attempts at drawing Judi Dench."

Robinson can be found via his website, his Twitter account (@DRAMATICINKING), and his Etsy page, where you can buy prints of his work.

Dreamgirls
Dreamgirls
© Andy Robinson