Welcome to my Web site. Thank you for taking the time to visit and I hope you will find it of interest and above all enjoyable and easy to navigate. I use this page to update various exhibitions, auctions or new prints and hope to post new paintings or drawings that I am currently working on.

All the images on this site are sold and are only shown here as an example of my work. Please feel free to email me with any comments or questions and I will be delighted to reply. For commissions, prints etc, please email. Again thanks for visiting and enjoy!!


Firstly my apologies for such a long time between site updates. I can genuinely say it's been too much time working and not enough time sitting in front of my computer!


February 2012

Happy New Year! 2012 is looking to be an extra special year not only because of the London Olympics but "Moonstruck" is coming to town too! From the 24th-28th April 2012 at the Menier Gallery London, "Moonsruck" is a dedicated exhibition of pencil drawings by Richard Symonds and sculptures by Suzie Marsh in aid of Animals Asia following their visit to China in March 2011. The exhibition will showcase over 60 original pieces by both Richard and Suzie especially for the show. It will mainly be Moon bears and other Asian wildlife with a few other surprises thrown in! Up to 50% of proceeds will benefit Animals Asia in their fight to end the barbaric bile farming in which thousands of bears are tortured every day through metal catheters for their precious bile! To learn more please visit www.animalsasia.org.





November 2011

Dear all, please excuse another long break between updates, it's been another crazy busy year full of Exhibitions, Travel and exciting new projects! Following last year's Elephant Parade in London, I can disclose that my Elephant "Hope" sold for £26,000 helping in the grand total raised of over £4 million!! Huge respect to all at Elephant Family and all the other artists and fundraisers who made it such an amazing event. I also revealed my latest life-size elephant painting of "Tara" who was auctioned at the huge Mela event in London and attended by Goldie Hawn who so kindly spoke about my painting causing her singular emotion as she looked at it! Good emotion that is!





In May I travelled to China with Sculptor Suzie Marsh to visit the Animals Asia China Bear Sanctuary and have to say it was one of the most emotional and inspiring research trips I have ever experienced! To learn more please watch this short film I made on my return. Be warned it does show some graphic images.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqamfM4P1yU

I was also privileged that the wonderful actress and conservationist Rula Lenska helped me with another short film I made called "Would you believe me?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaloDpIyqqM





The trip to China was to gain reference to paint and draw the rescued "Moon Bears" for an exciting joint exhibition in 2012 with sculptor Suzie Marsh to raise desperate funds and awareness to end the terrible Bile Farming in China and try to put an end to this barbaric trade. Details of the exhibition to follow. You can learn more about Animals Asia and the wonderful work they do here: http://www.animalsasia.org
I was also honoured to spend the week with the amazing founder of Animals Asia Jill Robinson MBE who is and continues to be an inspiration to me and everyone who meets her.



On a lighter note I was thrilled to have been in touch with the beautiful and talented Deanne Berry, TV fitness guru and star of the 2004 hit video "Call on me" by Eric Prydz All I can say it was one of those "It was a tough day at the office" moments but someone has to do it! Details can be found on this short film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0r52ItEABE



I have also been working with the hugely talented West End dancer and performer Zoe O'Sullivan for a collection of new classic nude paintings which can be found under the "Classic Nudes" page.



Lastly for all up to date images and news you can now follow me on facebook under "Richard Symonds Artist" on the facebook link.




News 30th June 2010

I am extremely excited to announce that on the 30th June 2010 I will be unveiling my latest life-size Asian Elephant painting of the beautiful "Tara" who is the main inspiration behind the Elephant Family Charity. Tara's story is nothing but heartbreaking as she was found abandoned by Mark Shand and then following a 1000 mile trip together across India, Mark wrote his much acclaimed book "Travels on my elephant". This will be the first time that the painting titled "Tara" will be seen and will be the main attraction at a huge celebrity packed Gala evening to be held at Chelsea gardens. 650 guests will attend this special evening which sees Elephant Family's patron Goldie Hawn fly over especially from the U.S to attend. Sotheby's head auctioneer will be there also to auction off 30 of the painted sculptures that have graced the London streets for the last month along with the auction of my "Tara" painting. Check back after the event to see all all the photos.


News May 2010

Elephant Parade London 2010

Richard is extremely excited to announce he will be involved with the countries largest outdoor art event ever! He was asked back in October 2009 to paint on a 3D life-size comical baby Asian elephant for the huge “Elephant Parade London 2010. There will be a total of 258 ele’s in the parade including some painted by celebrities such as Joanna Lumley, Michael Palin, Duchess of York, Tommy Hillfiger, Rula Lenska and many more!

It is a fantastic and innovative way to bring awareness to the plight of the Asian elephants decline in the wild and to help raise desperately needed money. For all information please visit www.elephantfamily.org and www.elephantparadelondon.org

The photo shows Richard with is elephant he named “Hope” and it is now confirmed it will be sponsored by BT and will be on display outside the BT tower from May 3rd – 23rd June and then being auctioned at Sotheby’s following a celebrity-packed party with Goldie Hawn. It will also be reproduced as a miniature and available at Selfridges.






News May 24th - May 29th 2010

DSWF Wildlife Artist of the Year - Mall Gallery, London
Richard has been invited as a guest artist at the prestigious Mall Gallery and to exhibit four pieces alongside works by David Shepherd, Mandy Shepherd, Emily Lamb and three other guest artists. It coincides with the DSWF Artist of the year competition.






News April 2010

Richard’s long overdue exhibition “Shades” was held at Gallery One in Grayshott, Surrey and saw 35 new pieces on display. He was delighted that his friend and loyal supporter Sandi Toksvig officially opened the exhibition and saw over 250 people at the opening. With the help of Sandi, Richard also donated a small painting to the Z2K Trust which raised £1000 for the charity.












News January 2009

I will be working on two new paintings which will be entered for the Wildlife Artist of the Year 2009 at the Mall Galleries, London later in the year in aid of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

Also look out for more dance and figurative work which will be appearing on the site over the next few months and my latest large project when I get confirmation in the next month or two!

I will be launching two new giclee prints called "Paws for Thoughts" and "Tusker" which will be available soon from the new prints page on this site.






News April 2007

Richard will be exhibiting two of his latest large paintings, "Tusker" a half-size scale oil painting of an African bull elephant and "Lean on me", a life-size oil painting of a baby African elephant from his latest safari to Addo Elephant Park in South Africa in November last year. The paintings can be seen at Christie's in South Kensington London from the 28th April - 2nd May 2007. The painting "Lean on me" seen here will be up for auction on the evening of 2nd May for the forth David Shepherd Wildlife Auction "Art for Survival". For more details see www.artforsurvival.org The painting will be publicised on both radio and news papers.






News April 2007

Richard will soon unveil his latest venture into sculpture and hopes to have the piece cast within the next couple of months so please check back for further information!



News March 2007

Justin Hawkins, former lead singer and guitarest of the rock band "The Darkness" and all round really great and talented guy, collects his three pencil drawings of his Bengal cats.






News August 2006

Richard is selected for the WNAG Conservation Artist Award for artistic excellence and extraordinary support for the conservation cause. To date Richard has raised and donated over $100,000.00 to wildlife and conservation.



News April 2006

Richard is accepted into the prestigious WNAG (Worldwide Nature Artists Group)
Richard's life-size oil painting of "Tembo" the African bull elephant sells for a staggering £50,000! After being displayed for a week in the prestigious Royal Geographical Society in London back in March, Tembo was sold to a private bidder with a large donation going directly to the Born Free Foundation. The painting attracted an enormous amount of publicity including three full page spreads in the Daily Telegraph, The Times, The Daily Mail along with Jackie FM radio, BBC Radio, BBC Wildlife magazine, BBC Newsround, Kenya Airways and articles throughout the UK.
"Tembo" is available as a Limited edition print from the Born Free Foundation priced at £45.00 each. (See Born Free on links page)


News February 2006

Come and see "Tembo" Richard's latest full-size oil painting of an African Bull Elephant at the Royal Geographical Society in London from the 13th-18th March 2006. Details Below. This is the first time the painting will have been on public display and is supported by the Born Free Foundation and Land Rover.

Limited edition Prints of "Tembo" will be available at the event and also available from this web site or the Born Free Foundation.

Elephants - The Big Picture: Wednesday 15th March 2006 - 7pm Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Unique, illustrated talk with elephant experts - Cynthia Moss, Ian Redmond, Ed Stewart and Winnie Kiiru. Elephant conservation, conflict resolution and elephant rescue worldwide. Hosted by Virginia McKenna and Will Travers. Supported by Land Rover. Lecture £12.50/Lecture & Reception £25. Limited tickets: To book, please call Sam on 01403 240170.

Elephants - The Big Picture: Monday 13th March - Saturday 18th March 2006. 10am-5pm (4pm Saturday). The Pavilion, Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Admission free. Born Free's work with elephants worldwide, wildlife art and photography. Including a life-size painting of a bull elephant - the Biggest Picture ever! Supported by Land Rover. For more information, please call Sam on 01403 240 170.


News July 2005

Richard launches his biggest painting to date, "Tembo" a full size sepia oil painting of an African bull elephant. At 15 feet by 11.5 feet the painting took over 500 painstaking hours, and is believed to be the first painting of its kind.

Richard can be seen here with actress and founder member of the Born Free Foundation (BFF) Virginia McKenna OBE. Together with the BFF Richard will be publicising this unique painting in various news papers and media.

For more information on the painting, please press "Full Size Elephant" button on side menu.





News January 2005

Richard has recently returned from an extensive one month trip to South Africa which took him to Cape Town for a Charity auction in aid of the Paediatric HIV foundation where he part donated another of his full size pencil drawings of a Bengal Tiger. He was delighted to be asked to attend the fundraising evening and help raise a large sum of money for this tragic disease. It was his pleasure to meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu along with other celebrity guests.

"I would like to thank British Airways for their generosity in flying myself and my drawings out to Cape Town."





Following Cape Town it was a perfect opportunity to re visit the Kruger National Park for a further two weeks where he managed to gain more valued material to paint and draw for 2005.

“As always it was a fantastic opportunity to photograph and see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, although it soon puts you in your place when charged by not only an elephant but a white Rhino, I guess that’s the price to pay for getting too close!”

One elephant that wasn’t going to charge Richard was an old friend called Tembo who he had met some five years earlier at a private Game Reserve.



“Well I will be working hard on all my new material I now have from my safari and will be launching my largest project to date some time in June/July. This one will be seriously BIG! so please keep an eye on this news page for more details to follow. All that is left is to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and a huge thank you for all your support.”



News 29th August 2004



Richard launches his new venture into full-scale head paintings of horses. He was honoured to have painted and unveiled this latest painting of the famous and “Quirky”, Deano’s Beeno race horse at Greatwood, where Channel 4’s “At the Races” presenter John McCririck and Deano’s award winning champion jockey Tony McCoy both signed the back of the painting. The life size painting was painted in a “sepia” oil and was reproduced to the exact scale of this famous race horse. The sepia effect gives an impressive and timeless look to the painting.



“You’re odds-on…… press Horses button to see more!”





On the 2nd June 2004 Richard’s FULL SIZE pencil drawing of a Bengal tiger, was auctioned at Christie’s in London and raised a substantial amount of money for the wild tiger. The auction was opened by HRH Prince Michael of Kent followed by a short speech from David Shepherd OBE. This was then followed by Richard’s friend and neighbour, comedienne, author and presenter Sandi Toksvig.

With over 70 lots auctioned, the total raised for wildlife was £97,000 !!
For more information about the auction, please click on the Full Size Drawings button.

“One of the highlights of the day for me was meeting Sean, a young lad from South Africa who at 17 years old is one of the oldest surviving HIV positive children in the world. He was unfortunate enough to be born with this tragic virus, but despite ALL the odds stacked against him, he is a fine and talented artist whose passion is art and music. He had over 3 pieces of his own work auctioned on the same night, and also raised a substantial amount of money for the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and the Paediatric HIV Foundation. Thanks Sean you are an inspiration to us ALL.”