From humble beginnings as a potteries apprentice Arnold Machin rose to become an acclaimed sculptor creating the iconic bas-relief portrait of Her Majesty the Queen used on all Royal Mail definitive issue stamps.
Patricia Machin was born in 1921 and studied painting at Goldsmith's where her tutor was Leonard Applebee. Finding inspiration from the Old Masters and still-life, she was an established painter, illustrator, designer and author.
Architect, sculptor, businessman and painter, Francis Machin was a talented designer responsible for a range of conservatories and garden buildings still seen throughout the United Kingdom, United States and Europe.
Arnold Machin's South Kensington Studio is still in active use today. A wide range of drawing classes are available.
The Prince's Drawing School use the site for drawing classes as part of their Foundation Course. The Machin Arts Foundation has provided some financial support and facilitated the use of the Studio space which is part of a 3 year educational project. Initially the studio was used by the Sir Denis Mahon Scholar, Alex Cree, who is an alumni of the Drawing School.
Prior to the Drawing School taking over the running of the Studio, the Foundation used the space as an informal space and a number of young artists had access to the Studio.
Arnold Machin used the studio as his London base from the mid 1950s' until his death. His bas-relief sculptures of Her Majesty the Queen were created here and used on decimal coinage and Royal Mail postage stamps. The Studio is part of a complex, now mainly residential, but with a strong artistic heritage. John Singer Sargent had use of a studio, Isadora Duncan stayed here, and the Suffragette movement ran an illegal printing press from the basement.
You can find out more about what courses are available here at the New Studio.