Benjamin Tolmie

I am a Marlborough Sounds–based artist creating vibrant, hyper-realistic airbrush paintings that celebrate the beauty of New Zealand's birds, boats, landscapes, people, and natural world."

Art has been a lifelong passion. After leaving school, I studied Spatial Design at AUT before embarking on a successful 25-year career in graphic, web, and user experience design. While working in design, I continued to pursue my love of art, exhibiting fantasy oil paintings and participating in my first group exhibition in 2007.

My fascination with airbrushing led me to undertake formal training in Melbourne, where I studied under commercial airbrush artist Laurent Machado. That experience gave me both a deep appreciation for the medium and the technical foundation that continues to shape my work today.

After spending a decade helping build a successful software company, I returned to painting full-time in 2022. Since then, I have immersed myself in developing my studio practice, refining my technique, and creating a growing body of commissioned and personal work.

I draw much of my inspiration from the wild serenity of the Marlborough Sounds and the rich cultural and natural heritage of Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether I am painting landscapes, boats, birds, wildlife, or portraits, my aim is to capture not only the subject’s appearance but also its character, energy, and sense of wonder.

While I am best known for my detailed landscapes and marine paintings, I also have a particular passion for portraiture - both human and animal - where connection, personality, and presence take centre stage.

Through colour, light, and extraordinary realism, my goal is simple: to create artworks that uplift, inspire, and bring a little more magic into the world.

Alongside original paintings, I offer limited-edition fine art prints, outdoor artworks, and a small number of specialised commissions each year. My work can be found in galleries throughout the Marlborough region. For more information, visit my website.