Scottish painter Leo du Feu was born in Edinburgh in 1984 and is based in nearby Linlithgow. He graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2006 and has since worked as a full-time freelance artist. Regularly sketching and painting out of doors, Leo explores the landscapes and nature of Scotland thanks to generous support from rail operator ScotRail. He is a keen birdwatcher and supporter of conservation and volunteers for the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology. Birds are increasingly flying, hopping and swimming into his paintings. This is where he makes.

Leo du Feu, giants’ sentry box, Isle of May, 34x16cm

My regular studio is nothing overly special. It’s a cosy and fair-sized room in my dad’s house in Linlithgow but it’s not ideally set up to be an artist’s studio. The location however is inspiring; outside the windows is a big garden of fruit, veg, shrubs and trees. The list of visiting birds and insects is large. This is where I paint my acrylics and any large works and finish off field work. It’s also where I spend far too much time doing office work.

Leo du Feu, razorbill, Isle of May, 15x21cm

My other studio is the rest of Scotland – anywhere outdoors where I find things that interest and inspire me. I spend a lot of time travelling the country in search of landscapes and birdlife. I make my explorations primarily by rail, thanks to support from ScotRail. My outdoors materials are watercolours, pencil, pen. I have painted along most of Scotland’s railway lines and even on some train journeys. I often sketch on the train, glimpses of scenes and details as they flit past.

Leo du Feu, Loch Awe old station buildings

Leo’s art is exhibited across Scotland and the UK and has been recognised through awards from The Bet Low Trust, The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, and the Royal Over-Seas League. Leo also carries out tutoring and commission work.

More: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

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‘Where I Make’ invites readers behind the scenes of artists from many disciplines to share photographs and a little insight about where they create their masterpieces. See more from the series here.

Who:
Edinburgh-born artist Leo du Feu is inspired by nature and has been painting Scotland by Rail for over four years. Some of his artworks have been exhibited at various railway-related events across the country. The sponsorship of railway operator ScotRail has been invaluable to his continuing the project.

From Loch Ossian hostel a heron about to land, pencil & pen & watercolour in sketchbook, 14 x 20.5cm

Why we like it:
Leo’s sketches and paintings have a charming immediacy to them, clearly capturing a passed moment in time.

Kittie & Paul above Loch Ossian, pencil & watercolour in sketchbook, 14.5 x 41cm

Hidden treasure:
Nestled amongst Leo’s paintings and drawings, you’ll find beautiful photographs of Scottish countrysides. Like this one:

Goods train passing Corrour Summit below horseshoe mountains

Where to find out more:
Website | Blog

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