4th December, 2025, I 1-3 Minute read
As the festive season draws near, we’re celebrating artists whose use of special materials and techniques brings an extra sense of luxury and craftsmanship to their work. From precious metals to diamond dust, from reflective resins to layered mixed media, these creators use their chosen materials to enhance depth, visual clarity and emotion in ways that feel especially resonant at this magical time of year.
The Real
Hackney Dave
The Real Hackney Dave lovingly transforms intricate vintage maps into contemporary artworks through hand-applied diamond dust and bold typographic design. The maps he selects are rich in colour, detail and history, and the diamond dust adds texture and subtle shimmer without compromising the integrity of the original piece. His favourite moment in the process, the “wow phase,” arrives when the dust is lifted to reveal how the surface has been completely re-energised and transformed into something beautiful and new. The result is a thoughtful blend of nostalgia, craftsmanship and striking visual effect.
Matt Herring
Matt Herring’s practice centres on metal leaf, particularly gold, applied to preserve every brushstroke and nuance. The gold leaf itself is a material of refinement, catching and reflecting light in a way that gives his nature-inspired compositions a soft luminosity and subtle vitality. Drawing on its historical symbolism and alchemical associations, Herring uses gold discs to frame his contemporary figures, imbuing them with a sense of reverence, transformation, and enduring connection to the natural world.
Simon Kenny
For Simon Kenny, materials are central to a process that is both experimental and highly considered. He combines paints, textured pastes and gels - and, in his most recent collection of limited editions, newly incorporates diamond dust for the first time - to create layered surfaces that play with light, depth and subtle sculptural form. Each material contributes its own character, and it is their careful interplay – the contrast of opacity and transparency, of matte and shimmer – that gives his work its distinctive presence. His work explores themes of the cosmos and inner reflection, with relief, glinting surfaces and softly blended tones creating atmospheric compositions that feel expansive, immersive and quietly luminous.
Dave White
Dave White uses 24-carat gold leaf, pure platinum leaf and diamond dust to extraordinary effect, with these precious materials heightening the fragility, presence and emotional impact of his wildlife subjects. The shimmering surfaces of diamond dust and the subtle glow of gold and platinum draw the viewer in, ensuring that even the smallest detail is noticed and celebrated. Working closely with specialist printmakers, White meticulously builds each limited edition, layering materials with precision to preserve the richness, texture and depth of his original works. The result is work that feels both contemporary and enduring—technically refined, visually captivating, and infused with reverence for the natural world.
Moss Green
Monika Nowak combines high-gloss resin, metallic pigments and layered colour to create sleek, contemporary works with a commanding visual presence. The resin is applied in carefully controlled layers, amplifying depth and clarity while preserving the vibrancy of each hue. Reflective finishes and metallic accents are strategically integrated, introducing a refined luminosity that heightens both form and surface. Every material is chosen with intention, enhancing the strength and dynamism of her subjects, and resulting in work that is polished, modern and confidently expressive.
Dom Pattinson
Dom Pattinson merges street art energy with fine art precision, using layered stencilling, spray paint, acrylics and gold leaf to create complex, graphic compositions with striking colour and texture. Each material is carefully applied to build tension between distressed surfaces and polished elements, producing a distinctive tactility that rewards close inspection. The layering process, combined with his precise control of colour and form, enhances both visual impact and narrative depth. The result is work that is bold, textured and visually dynamic, with sharp humour and cultural commentary woven seamlessly into every surface.
These artists each demonstrate how exceptional materials, when used with thought, skill and intention, can elevate an artwork’s impact. Their practices show a shared commitment to craft and innovation, offering pieces that feel considered, contemporary and perfectly suited to a season that celebrates beauty, creativity and the pleasure of looking closely.












































