Figurative Paintings of People & Crowds

Original figurative paintings of people, from crowded streets to lone walkers in wide landscapes.

Neil McBride is a British artist based in North Yorkshire, UK, selling expressive, colourful figurative paintings of crowds, people walking and social gatherings as one-off acrylic originals, sold directly from his studio. Small framed paintings start under £500, most canvases are £1,300 to £1,800, and large works reach about £3,000, all with free worldwide delivery.

I've painted full time since 2004 and exhibit at shows including The Great North Art Show.

My figurative work sits between realism and abstraction, so many people know these as abstract paintings of people. Figures overlap and dissolve, held together by colour, movement and feeling rather than careful description. Some paintings are bold and joyful; others are quiet, monochrome and a little mysterious. Most carry a story, but leave room for yours.

Each work is only available directly from my studio, and no two are repeated. If you live within 50 miles of York, I'll deliver and hang the painting for you myself.

Looking for a particular mood? Browse my joyful paintings of people, monochrome crowd paintings or small framed paintings under £500. If the scene you have in mind isn't here, I take open-brief commissions.

Curious where these paintings sit in British art? Read Crowd painting and the Northern tradition.

Figurative art: frequently asked questions

What is figurative art?

Figurative art is art that clearly shows real things, especially the human figure, rather than pure shapes and colour. My paintings are figurative because people are always the subject, even when the style is loose and expressive.

What is the difference between figurative and abstract art?

Abstract art doesn't depict recognisable things; figurative art does. Much of my work is abstract figurative art, or abstract paintings of people: the crowds are recognisably people, but they're built from bold marks, texture and colour rather than detail.

Are these original paintings or prints?

Every painting on this page is a signed, one-of-a-kind acrylic original painted in my North Yorkshire studio. I don't sell prints on this site, and the spontaneity of my style and technique means I never repeat a painting.

Can I buy original figurative art directly from the artist in the UK?

Yes. Every painting here is sold directly from my North Yorkshire studio, so you deal with the artist, not a marketplace or gallery, and can ask me anything about a piece before you buy.

How much does an original figurative painting cost?

My paintings of people range from under £500 for small framed works to around £3,000 for large canvases. Most medium canvases are between £1,300 and £1,800.

Do you deliver in the UK and abroad?

Yes. Delivery is free to the UK and worldwide. Within 50 miles of York I can sometimes deliver and hang the painting myself.

Are the paintings framed?

Most are sold unframed, so you can choose a frame that suits your room, or none at all. A few earlier works come already framed; each product page says which.

Do the paintings come with a certificate of authenticity?

Yes, on request. Every painting is also signed, dated and titled on the back by me, which is the artist's own permanent mark of authenticity.

Can I commission a painting of a crowd or a particular place?

Yes. I take open-brief commissions of crowds and places that mean something to you. Commissions are priced individually and cost a little more than ready-made work, because of the extra time we spend together on the brief. Find out how commissions work.

Who is Neil McBride?

Neil McBride is a British painter of crowd scenes and atmospheric landscapes, working in acrylic from his studio in North Yorkshire. He has painted full time since 2004 and exhibits at shows including The Great North Art Show.