Catherine MacDiarmid

MacDiarmid is a respected but not overly mainstream portrait artist, making her ideal if you’re looking for someone who is active, professional, and slightly lesser‑known compared to headline names.

Her portraits balance technical skill with emotional resonance, appealing to both collectors and casual art lovers.

She maintains an active online presence, with updates on exhibitions, teaching, and available works, ensuring her practice is accessible to new audiences.

Catherine MacDiarmid is a contemporary British portrait artist based in Kendal, Cumbria.

Her work spans oil paintings, watercolours, charcoal drawings, and pencil sketches, often exploring the subtleties of human character and emotion.

MacDiarmid’s portraits are known for reaching beneath the obvious likeness, capturing the essence of her sitters with sensitivity and depth.

She has exhibited widely across the UK, including at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters and the BP Portrait Award, and has won multiple awards for her work.

Alongside her practice, she also teaches portraiture, sharing her expertise with emerging artists and enthusiasts.