Reviews
“What an honour it is to be presented at the National Portrait Gallery with such a fine picture. Martyn Burdon has captured elements of the way I am, in a way that I don’t think has ever been seen by the public before. I owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Sir Lenny Henry, London, UK
"I love this portrait of Lenny. Martyn has beautifully captured the depth of Lenny's experience and emotion that he holds and accesses as a performer. Yes, he’s a much loved, mischievous comic donning his cap with swagger but those eyes betray a vulnerability that makes him such a fine actor too. Brilliant."
Nadia Fall, Artistic Director, Theatre Royal Stratford East, London, UK
“I’m so thrilled with the picture. It’s such a lovely thing to be asked to do. I sat for this portrait when I was performing The Life I Lead for a week in Cambridge. By then I had been doing the play over a course of about seven months, and so was well into it. Martyn asked if I would perform some portions of the play for him. Although I don’t really look like David Tomlinson, I do share some mannerisms with him, and once I was in the costume and speaking James Kettle’s words I honestly felt like I was a different person. Performing chunks of a play out of context like this ought should, by rights, make one feel self-conscious, but I felt oddly at ease. An audience of one is still an audience, I suppose, and Martyn has a very relaxed manner. I was really thrilled when I saw the portrait. Although it’s of a man in a bowler hat and wing collar, it is still very modern. The level of detail is quite astonishing to me, as well as the fact that it seems very three-dimensional to me and that so much is going on behind my eyes, which isn’t always the case in real life. It was very flattering to be asked to sit for Martyn, and the picture is a reminder to me of a very happy time. The play was difficult to perform just in terms of the sheer responsibility of a one-person show, but was also incredibly satisfying and the audiences were really terrific. And when I look at the portrait I think about Tomlinson and his wonderful family, who I met so many times during the run of the show, and all the people who worked on it, both in the rehearsal room and on tour.”
Miles Jupp, London Uk
Astonishing work, capturing an honesty that’s truly remarkable.
Paterson Joseph, London UK
"I've ended up in the National Portrait Gallery! I sat for Martyn last year and I want to champion the talent of this artist."
Matt Berry, London, UK
"I saw Martyn's pencil work exhibited in The Eagle Gallery, Bedford last year, and was so impressed by the images that I bought two pictures on the spot, and commissioned a further two. Since then I acquired a number of works from him, I am now a proud owner of 7 pieces. I like his style and approachability. He is reliable and always friendly and offers advice as to the medium best suited for a particular work. A great talent to be supported."
Joanna Baxter, Bedford, UK.
"It's an extraordinary piece of work and you have an amazing talent. I'm thankful that you allowed me to be a part of it. I'm looking forward to following your work."
Michael Sheen, Los Angeles, USA.
"If you are looking for a unique and amazing gift idea check out this amazing artist. I commissioned Martyn to work on a drawing on my daughters Olivia and Eve and it was amazing!"
James Harvey, Hertford, UK.
"We are delighted with the work, couldn't be happier."
Julie Robinson, Bedford, UK
"You clever sausage"
Sue Perkins, London, UK
"Everybody loves the drawing I commissioned of my sons James and Sam. Martyn has really caught both their characters. it's hanging in my hallway and I look at it everyday."
Eoin McCusker, London, UK
"A very nice man and his work is amazing, this guy is a much better artist than Hitler, and probably only half as evil..."
Richard Herring, London, UK
"I have a pencil drawing of Martyn's which I am proud to own, it is quite simply sublime. It captures a beauty and melancholy that I've rarely seen. Wonderful and remarkable work."
John Yatchisin, Bedford, UK
"I'm absolutely thrilled to bits with the finished result, I couldn't be more pleased"
Sheila Ferris, Bishop Stortford UK
“A wonderful piece of work!“
Mark Gatiss, London, UK