RICHARD CROSBIE

RICHARD CROSBIE originally from South Wales, U.K. has been living in Hong Kong since 1996 working as a professional product designer in the toy industry.  But the pandemic changed everything, sparking a sudden desire and aspiration to redefine himself as an artist focused on Hong Kong scenes and subjects.

Moving away from computer-based design work, Crosbie has become immersed in a variety of traditional hand-drawn media, including watercolour, pen and ink, acrylic, and pastel. He combines field-based plein-air painting, urban sketching, and long-term studio work, drawing endless inspiration from the vibrant local life. He creates everything with his own hands, not through computer programs or AI. 

"It's like I've been asleep for years, suddenly waking up and seeing, smelling, and truly appreciating my surroundings for the first time. I love living in Hong Kong and everything about it. I enjoy the vast landscape and the small details that make Hong Kong so special. From the cityscape and harbour views, to the bustling markets and street scenes, to the reflections in puddles, to observing the paint slowly drying on a fire hydrant—I love it all," according to Crosbie.

The words "perspective" and "detail" frequently appear because of his design background. He says his style is quite unique, even though it is still evolving. His art has taught him to open his senses to his surroundings and exercise his powers of observation. "The more you look, the more you see," Crosby remarks.