Emily Hay is a British oil painter based in London. She began drawing and painting as a child and has maintained a long-standing focus on people and the places they inhabit.
For three years, Emily worked at sea, painting on location from Antarctica to Australia. Her current body of work draws on these experiences, exploring the remote locations she visited and the lived experience of each place.
Emily studied Fine Art at the University of Leeds and has continued to develop her practice through classical training. In 2024 she completed a 6-week intensive workshop at the Florence Academy of Art and has recently finished her third term at the London Fine Arts Studios, specialising in drawing and painting the portrait from life.
Her work spans portraiture and landscape, characterised by vibrant colour and a focus on the feeling of being present in a particular environment.
Painting Locations
Mediterranean
From the fountains of Barcelona to the aqua waters of Corsica and the iconic Florentine Duomo, explore a collection inspired by France, Spain, Italy, and more.
Greek Isles
Blue Santorini rooftops and ancient Kefalonia olive oil farms, explore the collection inspired by the Greek Isles cruise
Norway
From Ålesund to the Arctic Circle, discover the dramatic coastline of the Norwegian fjords
Canary Islands
Lanzarote’s cactus garden to the hillsides of Gran Canaria, explore the collection of pastel drawings and oil paintings.
World Voyage
From North America to Asia and Australia. Explore far-reaching locations from around the world
South America
South America to Antartica - a fond collection from my first trip to sea. Collection coming soon
Education
2025 – Present
London Fine Art Studios:
Foundation I, Foundation II, Portraiture
2024
Florence Academy of Art:
Drawing, Painting & Art History (6-week workshop)
2021
Warburg Institute, University of London:
Art History, Curatorship & Renaissance Culture, MA
2015
University of Leeds:
Fine Art, BA (Hons)