About

Phoebe Ainslie (b. 2003) is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Berkshire, England, recognised primarily for her large-scale hyperrealistic oil paintings. Her practice is characterised by a meticulous, highly controlled approach to painting, combining self-generated photographic references with extended periods of layered oil painting to produce images of remarkable precision and atmosphere.

Ainslie draws heavily from the visual language of cinema. Her compositions are informed by an interest in framing, lighting and atmosphere. Influences from both classical chiaroscuro and contemporary film shape images that prioritise mood and emotional resonance as much as technical realism. She typically works with restrained, often monochromatic palettes, exploring how subtle tonal shifts can heighten presence, intimacy and scale. Each painting begins with original photographic references, making photography an integral part of her practice. This allows her to carefully construct lighting and gesture before translating them through paint. The subsequent painting process is intentionally slow and methodical, with numerous transparent layers gradually building depth and tonal complexity over many months.

Ainslie graduated with a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Loughborough University in 2025. The body of work she presented at the 2025 Loughborough University Degree Show marked a significant turning point in her practice and established the large-scale monochromatic oil paintings that have since become central to her visual language. Centred on the relationship between visibility and concealment, the series explored how beauty might exist within moments of stillness and ambiguity, resisting conventional expectations of portraiture and the objectification of the female figure. Rather than offering complete visibility, the series embraced partial obscurity, inviting viewers to engage with the subjects beyond the confines of the gaze. This series demonstrated the expressive potential of scale, tonal restraint and cinematic lighting, and was recognised with The Access Group Award.

Alongside her studio practice, Ainslie documents and shares the development of her work on social media, offering insight into the research, photography, and extensive painting process behind each work.

Education

BA (Hons) Fine Art, Loughborough University, 2025

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2025 - Degree Show, Loughborough University

AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS

2025 - The Access Group Award

2016 - 2020 - Art Scholarship, St Gabriel’s School