One of the very best character portrait artists in Bristol, who doesn’t paint as often as I’d like is Shade One. Fortunately the draw of joining a Ulow birthday celebration was enough to bring him out to create this absolute beauty.
Shade One, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
Shade One is a specialist at painting caricature portraits, where the subjects are completely on point, but don’t fall into the realm of photorealism. The girl, wearing a bucket hat, painted in greyscale, is absolutely beautiful. Her expression somewhat moody as she glances to her right. Shade One is surely an artist at the very top of his game.
The Lucky Lane Bristol Mural Collective paint jam last month, is a gift that keeps on giving. Although I missed the pieces being painted because I was out of the country, I have been able to enjoy them completely and utterly. This is a wonderful shutter piece by Yoliws.
Yoliws, Lucky Lane, Bristol, September 2025
I love Yoliws’ characters that have a sense of freedom and joy about them, and the colours she selects have an upbeat feel. Unfortunately, I think that the shutter is working against Yoliws in this instance, and perhaps some stronger colours might have brought out a bit more contrast. There is a lovely message here for all who care to look at it… ‘Feelin’ lucky to have met you’. Fabulous stuff.
Scrapyardspec, River Avon, Bristol, September 2025
I always feel much happier writing about street art once I have met with the artist. For me, it feels like I have been through some process of validation and gives me confidence to speak more authoritatively about street art and the pieces in question. This lovely piece by Scrapyardspec is a case in point.
Scrapyardspec, River Avon, Bristol, September 2025
I met Scrapyardspec about a month ago, and we chatted for quite a while. He shared with me what I’d already noticed, that he was developing his characters a little bit, now that he was confident of his archetype and his painting skills were improving. Here, the character has rudimentary limbs, and a rather fetching pink hairdo. Great to see him improving and pushing his boundaries.
Chill left Bristol a little over a year ago, having been a prolific member of the PWA crew, so it was wonderful to see this small piece in Dean Lane skate park, which I think was painted for, or at, the Dean Lane Hardcore (DLH) event (an annual skate and music extravaganza).
Chill, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025
This piece features two of his cheeky characters side by side with tongues hanging out. That Chill is able to duplicate these faces with such ease demonstrates his skill as an artist and steady can control. I miss these characters.
Dun Sum, M32 roundabout, Bristol, July 2025Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, June 2025Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, June 2025Dun Sum, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025Dun Sum, St Werburghs, Bristol, October 2024Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, October, 2024Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, August 2024Dun Sum, M32 roundabout, Bristol, November 2023Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, August 2023Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, January 2020Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, January 2020Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, January 2020Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, October 2019Dun Sum, L Dub, Bristol, July 2019
Bogat only paints occasionally, but his pieces are instantly recognisable and impactful. He is not a ‘high-end’ character artist, but he manages to capture a down-to-earth style, without which the diversity of street art in Bristol would be all the poorer.
Bogat, Dean Lane, Bristol, September 2025
In this piece, the pink-faced character appears to be snarling a little. There is some nice shading and lines, especially round the cheeks. The ‘Bennie’ hat with the word BOGAT is nicely painted, but it is the zigzag eyes that grab the attention. I think the piece was painted for the Dean Lane Hardcore event held a week or so ago.
I can’t quite remember if this combination piece from Mr Klue was painted in one session or two, but since they are by the same artist, it doesn’t really matter that much. It is quite unusual to find writing and the Mad Hatter character by Mr Klue adjacent to one another, so this is quite special.
Mr Klue, St Werburghs, Bristol, August 2025
Mr Klue’s gift for creating ephemeral graffiti writing is unparalleled in Bristol and his character is iconic, especially in this area. There are some great colours here and a lightness of touch that is a signature of his work. A real treat in the tunnel.
Cheo, Dibz and Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
Lots to see and admire in this wonderful triptych from Cheo, Dibz and Ulow, painted during a ‘high end’ paint jam celebrating the latter’s birthday. The whole wall, (see last photograph) was sheer class.
Cheo, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
First up in this little sequence of three is a brilliant B Boy character by Cheo, with his second piece of the paint jam. A perfect cartoon-style, with so much detail to enjoy, and of course the trademark bee.
Dibz, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
In the middle of this triptych is an outstanding piece of graffiti writing by Dibz which appropriately spells out ULOW. Beautifully designed letters and fills have to give way a little to some amazing exploding pink bubbles. A nicely balanced piece.
Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
Finally, all eyes are on the amazing character by the birthday boy himself. Ulow has painted an extraordinary comic-style full portrait of a young woman dancing, or so it appears. Ulow has created enormous depth with his perspective, and accentuated the muscle-tone incredibly skilfully. Truly stunning work from all three artists.
Minto, Cheo, Hypo, Ulow, Dibz, Soker, Rusk, Shade One and Turoe, M32 roundabout, Bristol, August 2025
What a strange piece from Daz Cat. A cat and a character, but what brings these two together? I can’t figure out the story at all. I think this is the first cartoon-style figure I have seen of a person like this from Daz Cat.
Daz Cat, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, August 2025
The character reminds me of Cletus Spuckler from The Simpsons, he has that kind of hillbilly look about him. I love the way that Daz Cat is always pushing his own boundaries, and loves to tell a good story through his art.
I met Ayup about a year ago in St Werburghs tunnel when he was visiting Bristol, and I remember asking him if he visited often. I think he said only occasionally. I recall that he comes from Derbyshire, hence the name.
Ayup, L Dub, Bristol, July 2025
This superb character piece was painted during a paint jam, which I think was for somebody’s birthday, but I forget who. The large-headed character has had his roller out and been buffing walls, always a good theme for character pieces. Ayup has done a great job, creating a believable and rather grumpy looking character. All good.
Natural adventures 