One of the highlights of the year so far has been the return of Subtle. I have managed to photograph some of his pieces, but still haven’t located a wall that he has painted a couple of times, which is a pity, but I will persevere.
Subtle, St Werburghs, Bristol, July 2025
This is a gorgeous piece of writing that picks up Subtle’s unique lettering style and combines it with a rich and varied colour palette as well as some decorative spotty background, which is beginning to feature in his work. Bristol streets and walls are quieter without his presence.
Subtle, Ulow and Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
This fine trio of pieces was painted as part of Hypo’s birthday celebrations, and brings together Subtle, Ulow and Minto – quite a line-up. There is a whole lot of colour and talent on display, marking out this section of wall as being a bit special.
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
To the left, Subtle has created a masterclass of colour and design, with some wicked letters spelling HYPO, set on a fabulous red background with pink spots, looking like wrapping paper around the writing. Outstanding stuff.
Ulow, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
We don’t get to see Ulow’s work all that often, so it is always a great pleasure to come across one of his characters. The superb presentation of different tones and shades create a wonderful 3-dimensional effect as if the character is walking straight out of the wall. A combination of simplicity and complexity all in one character piece.
Minto, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
Rounding off the trio is this busy piece of writing from Minto. The style here has as much to do with what is absent as it does with what is present, a little bit like Benjimagnetic’s writing. Lots of colourful splashes and unfilled spaces combine to spell out MINTO, in a complex arrangement. Altogether an outstanding collaboration. Bravo!
I think it is safe to say that Subtle is back, as this is the second of three recent pieces, although I have yet to locate the third. Seeing his large letters, which are anything but subtle, is like greeting an old friend, resuming the conversation where it was last cut off.
Subtle, Brunel Way, Bristol, May 2025
It is a welcome thing indeed, after so many brown shades dominating so many pieces recently, to see the good old bedfellows pink and light blue featured here. Subtle’s large blue letters, with modest decorations, are augmented perfectly with pink circles and spots surrounding. Set on a black-buffed wall, this is a splendid announcement of ‘I’m back’.
It is totally awesome to see Subtle again after quite a long break. His work, for me, epitomises the Bristol style of graffiti writing. I have mentioned that different towns and cities, regions or countries have distinct styles, and this piece by Subtle oozes Bristol.
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, May 2025
The piece itself is painted in rather dark colours and a little difficult to pick out with the light behind the wall. Great big fat letters on a buffed wall with a dollop of red decoration is just what the doctor ordered, and a great way to start the day. Classy and beautifully executed. Welcome back Subtle.
With this magnificent piece, we welcome back Subtle, who has been away from our streets for far too long, indeed the last piece I posted by the artist was way back in March 2022. He has marked his comeback with a really strong statement piece… no need for fancy embellishment or fiddly bits. This burner is far from subtle.
Subtle, Greenbank, Bristol, November 2024
The chrome letters SUBTLE sit boldly on a dark background, and although there is a drop shadow, it is almost as dark as the background and difficult to see (more so in the photographs). I sincerely hope that this isn’t a one-off and that we get to see more of his work, and just to remind you what his work looks like, here is an updated gallery for you to enjoy.
You can wait for ages, and then two pieces from Subtle come along in quick succession. This is the first of two recent, and really rather decent, works from Subtle. This one is on the M32 roundabout, and the other one, which I will write about in due course, is at Greenbank. Both feature Jerry from the carton series Tom and Jerry.
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2022
It rather looks like this piece is a ‘love letter’ in graffiti form (Jerry definitely looks bashfully in love), but it is always so difficult to read between the lines on such things. Subtle terms this a ‘quick one’ on his Instagram account, but that is just ridiculous, how can anything so beautifully proportioned and clean and crisp be a ‘quick one’ I ask you? Great to see new work from this great graffiti writer.
As with my previous post, this Subtle piece has languished in the ‘departure lounge’ of Natural Adventures since September. I had intended to publish it almost immediately, as I like to try and do with pieces that I really admire, but somehow it got leap-frogged and then fell down the list. I am very happy to have revived it.
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Subtle has not painted a huge amount this year, so finding this one was a real pleasure. This is a beautiful and touching tribute piece by Subtle for his cousin Sarah, who sadly passed away in September this year. It must have been difficult to paint, but probably means a lot to him, and to the family. It is a beautiful thing to do.
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, September 2021
Although Subtle doesn’t often do characters, I think that this is very nicely done, and it is something he should consider doing more of – the ones I have seen I have liked, and they offset the writing really well. A very fine tribute piece.
Since I took this photograph, which really isn’t too long ago, this wall had been painted over at least twice and it is fast becoming one of the highest turnover walls in Bristol. I’ll be heading down that way today to see what’s new.
Subtle, Cumberland Basin, Bristol, April 2021
This is another in a very strong series of pieces from Subtle. At last he seems to have exhausted his supply of pink paints and instead gives us this stunning beast in red. The writing is really sharp and greatly enhanced with the yellow highlights and black spots. This is a very bold and striking piece that demonstrates clearly the great skills of Subtle.
The sleeping giant has definitely woken, and Subtle has been out and about creating some superb pieces across Bristol. I think he has a stock of pink paint that he wanted to use up, because a lot of his recent stuff has majored on pink.
Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, March 2021
Subtle uses a technique that involves quite a lot of roller-brush work. Most of the solid fills and the background are all roller work, with the outlines and details added on with spray paint. This is for both ease and economy. Emulsion is so much cheaper than spray paint. The result of his labours is this wonderful SUBTLE in pinks and reds on a green background with blue decorations. Eye-catching and fun.
Another very nice large piece of graffiti writing from Subtle, one of several recent works after quite a long quiet period. It seems that like many other artists Subtle is painting in bursts of activity, hitting loads of walls in a matter of a few days.
Subtle, Brunel Way, Bristol, March 2021
I also think that Subtle must have bought a job-lot of paint, because his recent works have contained similar colour palettes. The letters here are a little more ornate than usual, and the pink boundary and dark stripes are very nice decorations to the piece. Classy as always.
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