In the world of wood engraving and fine art, there are few figures better-known than Howard Phipps. His deep sensitivity to the beauty of rural landscapes has earned Phipps a reputation for excellence as well as popularity. Phipps is somewhat underrated for his contributions to the art world, but his work commands attention for its precision, depth, and reverence for nature.
His landscape art pieces prove popular in homes, thanks to their timelessness and colourless rendering, making them suitable for any type of interior. We offer a range of Howard Phipps artwork, so you can bring art to your front room and enjoy the breathtaking work of this timeless talent.
Who is Howard Phipps?
Born in 1954, Phipps is a British artist, born in North Wales and known primarily for wood engraving, a medium in which he’s admired as an expert. He’s a fairly private figure, so little is known about Phipps’ personal life, but his work is characterised by line clarity, high contrast, intricacy, and a certain stillness.
Phipps studied Fine Art at the Gloucestershire College of Art in Cheltenham from 1971 to 1975, and then went on to study a post-graduate year at Brighton Polytechnic. He’s been a member of the Royal West of England Academy since 1979 and the Society of Wood Engravers since 1985.
Phipps regularly exhibits at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions, where he won the Christie’s Contemporary Print Award in 1985. Not only can Phipps’ artwork be seen in galleries worldwide, but he’s even illustrated a number of books for various publishers. In recent years, Phipps’ art has been acquired by institutions including the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, the British Museum, & the Yale Centre for British Art in the USA.
Howard Phipps’ Artistic Style
Phipps is best known for his wood engraving work, an art style of which he’s considered a master. Wood engravings are prints made by carving fine designs into the end grain of hardwood blocks and then hand-printing the designs onto paper. Wood engravings aren’t to be confused with woodcut prints - the differences between the two are explained here by Phipps. He occasionally worked with other materials, such as linocut.
The result is extraordinarily detailed images, with incredible realism and an expert grasp of shape and light. Phipps’ work is filled with light and shadow, as well as a sense of stillness and peace.
Phipps works from drawings and watercolours made on location, primarily in the downs of Wiltshire and Dorset. His work has an undeniable sense of place, and the textures of the natural world are cleverly recreated in the engravings, particularly hill forms.
Howard Phipps’ Famous Works
Phipps is known for his overall portfolio rather than a couple of standout pieces. His wood engravings follow a similar style, but each is unique in its content, presenting a new space or landscape. Whether he’s depicting a narrow woodland track, shadows across a hillside, or the silhouette of an ancient barn, Phipps’s work maintains a quiet dignity and sense of stillness.
One of his most celebrated achievements is the series of engravings he created for The Whittington Press. The fine press printers worked closely with the artist on two books: ‘Interiors’ and ‘Further Interiors’. In 2007, they published ’Ebble Valley’ with over thirty engravings and linocuts by Phipps, including text by the artist.
Howard Phipps has worked with other publishers (over 30), including names such as Bloomsbury, Century, the Folio Society, and Little Toller Books. Other popular works available as wood engravings by Phipps include Workroom Window, Chalk Hill Drive, and Sutton Mandeville.
Legacy and Impact
Howard Phipps is one of, if not the, most celebrated figures in the UK’s wood engraving art scene. Phipps is one of the most notable modern artists keeping this traditional technique alive, and stands as a juxtaposition against the shift to digital art.
Phipps’ artwork has been collected by and continues to be displayed in notable art institutions worldwide, primarily in the UK and North America. He’s considered a master at the technical art of wood engraving, paving the way for newer artists to learn this traditional skill. New generations of artists are inspired by Phipps’s ability to turn tranquil rural spaces into breathtaking studies of light, shape, and depth.
Howard Phipps Artwork for Your Home
Bringing a piece of Phipps’ artwork into your home does more than just make it look nicer. His still, calm wood engravings are a reminder to slow down and take in the natural landscape around you, noticing its textures, light, and shadows.
We offer a range of Phipps wood engravings in his signature style, featuring artwork rooted in the chalk downs of Wiltshire and Dorset. These engravings are originals in small editions, signed and numbered by the artist, and available framed.
There’s simply no better way to enjoy the work of this esteemed British artist than to have it hanging in your home. Residents of the Wiltshire and Dorset areas, in particular, will enjoy seeing artistic representations of their area in wood engraving form.
Final Thoughts
What better way to enjoy Phipps’ artwork than bringing his incredible engravings into your home?
If you’re looking for other spaces to enjoy this talented artist’s portfolio, you’ll find his pieces in institutions such as the British Museum or in publications where Phipps has collaborated.
His work speaks to a timeless appreciation of the landscape, and his detailed replications of it are a love story to the countryside. Through the ancient art of wood engraving, Phipps captures moments of silence, light, and texture that resonate deeply with those who encounter them.
Whether you’re new to the work of Howard Phipps or already a fan of his wood engraving works, pick up an original Howard Phipps engraving to enjoy in your own home. Exploring the art of Howard Phipps is a journey not only into the heart of the English countryside but also into the timeless technique of wood engraving.