Subtle

4320. M32 roundabout J3 (396)

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.

4043. M32 roundabout J3 (360)

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.

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.

3620. Cumberland Basin

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.

3608. M32 roundabout J3 (304)

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.

3564. Brunel Way Bridge (95)

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.

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.

3537. M32 Cycle path (113)

Another Bristol artist who seems to paint walls in pulses with long breaks in between is Subtle. This is one of two lovely pieces of graffiti writing from the artist a week or two back both using a similar colour palette.

Subtle, M32 cycle path, Bristol, March 2021

This particular hoarding is notoriously difficult to photograph because of the bright sky behind it and I would guess is best photographed at dusk. These turned out ok, but everything behind the piece is bleached. Subtle presents us with his super-size letters and a some really neat bubble decorations in pink and white. The borders and shadows are very nicely done and this piece is everything one would expect from Subtle… big, bold and beautiful.

3316. M32 roundabout J3 (263)

The last Subtle piece I saw before I found this one in October was way back in June, so it was very nice indeed to stumble across it. I don’t know how, but these pictures managed to get trapped in my production line of posts which is why it is a little out of sequence (it was not a delve into my archives which happens from time to time).

Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, October2020

I have always liked Subtle’s work and this piece in chrome set on pink and purple circles is a beauty. There is a story here somewhere – there are four bullet holes in the chrome letters and underneath the piece are the words ‘The Heart Breaker’. To the right is a chrome flamingo (pink, surely?) drinking a cocktail. Curious to say the least. Sharp lines, great solid fills and that wonderful Subtle letter shape – good work all round.

3038. M32 roundabout J3 (226)

One thing you know for sure is that when you find a piece by Subtle, you know it is going to be an absolute cracker, and this one is a cracker with a cherry on the top. It was painted during a paint jam a week or so back alongside so many other great Bristol artists, and is the first piece I have seen from him since the start of lock down.

Subtle, M32 roundabout, Bristol, June 2020

The colours, fill, decorations and 3D shading contrast really well and contribute to this vibrant and feisty work. I’m not sure what ‘outsiders gents club’ refers to, but it is probably a reference to the fellow paint jammers on the day. Like the rest of us, Subtle has been impacted by coronavirus and has mentioned it on his last couple of pieces.

2831. Brunel Way Bridge (30)

From the moment I saw this piece I have had a terrible earworm and as the Coronavirus pandemic has worsened so has the earworm. To avoid the perilous infection don’t read the small writing under the ‘U’ of Subtle.. oh oh, too late… you’ve done it now! This is a cracking and topical piece by Subtle under Brunel Way in one of his favourite spots.

I have seen several Coronavirus-related pieces lately and some are humorous and some less so. It is difficult to know where the lines are in making light of the pandemic – this is uncharted territory. In my view Subtle gets away with it in this piece, mainly because I now he is a great bloke and also it is a rather good piece.

A gallery of brilliant graffiti writing from Bristol’s Subtle.

All photographs by Scooj

	paulh121 on 5960. M32 roundabout J3 (…
	Sheree on 5960. M32 roundabout J3 (…
	scooj on 5958. Dean Lane skate park…
	scooj on 5950. Richmond Road (7)
	scooj on 5959. Cumberland Basin

	paulh121 on 5960. M32 roundabout J3 (…
	Sheree on 5960. M32 roundabout J3 (…
	scooj on 5958. Dean Lane skate park…
	scooj on 5950. Richmond Road (7)
	scooj on 5959. Cumberland Basin

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