Collection: Shaun Tan's Observational Oil Sketches

Shaun Tan regularly paints observational scenes on small wood panels. This has been his practise since his mid-teens, taking his inspiration from the late 19th-century Australian ‘Heidelberg’ painters, who used cigar box lids for their sketches. For Tan, this size encourages precise attention to light and atmosphere. It also makes it possible to respond to a subject fairly quickly, which is especially important when painting on-site.

Below is a selection of Tan's urban oil sketches available at Beinart Gallery. Please contact us if you would like to purchase a piece.

We also have a collection of available artworks from Tan's past exhibitions at Beinart Gallery as well as a range of his limited edition prints.