Born in 1965, Annabel Playfair is a UK-based painter whose work seamlessly blends classical techniques with vibrant, energetic compositions. Dividing her time between her studio in the picturesque Cotswolds and painting “en plein air” across the UK and Europe, Annabel’s art is a celebration of life, nature, and the beauty of everyday moments.
Annabel was formally trained at the City and Guilds of London where she mastered the classical fundamentals of drawing, perspective, colour and composition. She gained a BA degree in Graphics and Illustration at Chelsea School of Art, followed by a year at L’École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Her time in Paris was particularly formative, as she immersed herself in studying the human form and capturing the bustling, vibrant scenes of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Deeply inspired by the Post-Impressionists and the Spanish painter Sorolla, Annabel’s style is best described as figurative and energetic, with a focus on dynamic use of colour, light and composition. Her creative process is fuelled by a constant search for inspiration, finding beauty in the landscapes, interiors, and fleeting moments of daily life.
Having lived in the Cotswolds for over 30 years, Annabel draws much of her inspiration from the region’s rolling hills, bluebell woods, and seasonal transformations. Her paintings often feature the charming interiors and terraces of local homes, capturing the essence of rural life. Beyond the Cotswolds, Annabel’s artistic explorations take her to the rugged coasts of Cornwall and Norfolk, Scotland, and the sun-soaked landscapes of Southern Europe, where she revels in the interplay of colour and light.
Annabel’s studio is near Chipping Norton in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Annabel’s work can be seen at the following galleries:
Fosse Gallery, The Cotswolds
Red Rag Gallery, Bath
Cricket Fine Art, London & Hungerford
Annabel was formally trained at the City and Guilds of London where she mastered the classical fundamentals of drawing, perspective, colour and composition. She gained a BA degree in Graphics and Illustration at Chelsea School of Art, followed by a year at L’École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Her time in Paris was particularly formative, as she immersed herself in studying the human form and capturing the bustling, vibrant scenes of one of the world’s most iconic cities.
Deeply inspired by the Post-Impressionists and the Spanish painter Sorolla, Annabel’s style is best described as figurative and energetic, with a focus on dynamic use of colour, light and composition. Her creative process is fuelled by a constant search for inspiration, finding beauty in the landscapes, interiors, and fleeting moments of daily life.
Having lived in the Cotswolds for over 30 years, Annabel draws much of her inspiration from the region’s rolling hills, bluebell woods, and seasonal transformations. Her paintings often feature the charming interiors and terraces of local homes, capturing the essence of rural life. Beyond the Cotswolds, Annabel’s artistic explorations take her to the rugged coasts of Cornwall and Norfolk, Scotland, and the sun-soaked landscapes of Southern Europe, where she revels in the interplay of colour and light.
Annabel’s studio is near Chipping Norton in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Annabel’s work can be seen at the following galleries:
Fosse Gallery, The Cotswolds
Red Rag Gallery, Bath
Cricket Fine Art, London & Hungerford
I will happily undertake private commissions. Please contact me should you wish to discuss anything in particular.
