What is the background and style of Sonia Lawson R.A. artwork?

Sonia Lawson R.A. was a prominent British artist elected to the Royal Academy in 1982. Her style is recognised for its expressive figurative mark-making, rich narrative qualities, and fluid blend of drawing and printmaking techniques.

How is a pastel over lithograph artwork created?

This mixed media technique begins with an initial printed lithographic base on heavy paper. The artist then applies hand-drawn pastel or charcoal highlights directly over the print, adding texture, tone, and individual variation to the piece.

How can you verify the authenticity of an original print by a Royal Academician?

Authentic works typically feature handwritten pencil signatures by the artist in the lower margins, title inscriptions, and edition numbers or artist proof designations, alongside provenance from established galleries or auction houses.

How should you display a monochrome figurative drawing in a modern interior?

Monochrome and expressive line drawings complement contemporary minimal interiors, gallery walls, or classic study spaces. Frame the artwork with an acid-free mount in a neutral wood or slim black frame to highlight the tonal contrast.

What are the recommended care practices for works on paper with pastel?

Works executed in pastel and print media should be framed behind UV-filtering glass with a mat to prevent the pastel dust from contacting the glazing. Store and display in dry environments away from direct sunlight and high humidity.

for sale €878 $953

£750

William Greenwood Fine Art

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Original Artwork on Paper

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Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.

Name: Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA797113
Price: 750 GBP
Availability: InStock

1940 - 1960

For Sale by William Greenwood Fine Art

Description

Artist: Sonja Lawson R.A. Born 1934.

Title: "Sleeping Companions".

Original lithograph with pastel. Inscribed with title and details of painting and artists details on the reverse in the artist's hand.

Signed and titled. Early work. Circa 1965.

Size: 8 1/2"x 14". Overall size: 16 1/2"x 22 1/2".

Now cleaned and framed. In very good ready to hang condition. Free UK delivery. For more info please contact us at:

Tel: 01677 424830

Mob: 07885 175279 Email: williamgreenwoodfineart@gmail.com

Trade enquiries welcome.

Sonia Lawson studied at Doncaster School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London from 1956 to 1960 where she received first-class honours and a Travelling Scholarship which took her to France in 1960. She went on to teach at Harrow School of Art and Central St Martin’s School of Art in the 1960s, West Surrey College of Art from the 1960s to the early 1970s and at the Royal College of Art during the 1980s. She has been a Visiting Lecturer at the Royal Academy Schools since 1985.

Lawson’s first solo exhibition was held at the Zwemmer Gallery, London in 1960. Subsequent solo shows include the New Arts Centre, London (1963), Trafford Gallery, London (1967) and Manchester City Art Gallery (1987). A touring retrospective of her work was held in Sheffield, Hull, Bradford, Leicester and Milton Keynes (1982-3) and a major retrospective (1966 to 1996) was held at the Dean Clough Gallery, Halifax in 1996. Lawson’s work has also been included in many group exhibitions throughout the UK, Switzerland, China and the USA.

In 1984 Lawson was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum to record the preparations for Exercise Lionheart, BAOR, West Germany. Similarly, in 1989 she was commissioned by Lambeth Palace for a work presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury to Pope John Paul II, which is now in the Vatican Collection, Rome. Further commissions include a book illustration (1993-4) for Poems by James Kirkup (Rockingham Press), two works for Birmingham University (1994) and drawings published in conjunction with a Fay Weldon short story (Clarion Publishing, 1995). Lawson’s work is also held in many private collections in the UK, Germany, Australia and the USA.

Among Lawson’s many awards include the Eastern Arts Drawing Prize (1984), the Lorne Award, London University (1986-7), and the Eastern Arts Open Drawing (First Prize, 1990). She was elected a Member of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1984 and Royal Academician in 1991 (ARA 1982). Sonia Lawson lives and works in Bedfordshire and North Yorkshire.

Physical Dimensions

Height

42cm (16.54")

Width

57cm (22.44")

Depth

3cm (1.18")

Declaration

William Greenwood Fine Art has dated this Sonia Lawson Pastel Lithograph to the 1950s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA797113

Dealers Internal Reference

WGB

Description

Artist: Sonja Lawson R.A. Born 1934.

Title: "Sleeping Companions".

Original lithograph with pastel.

“

Inscribed with title and details of painting and artists details on the reverse in the artist's hand.

William Greenwood Fine Art

Signed and titled. Early work. Circa 1965.

fig 1. A figurative pastel over lithograph drawing depicting a sleeping child curled up alongside a dog on a light paper background. — fig 1. Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.

Size: 8 1/2"x 14". Overall size: 16 1/2"x 22 1/2".

Now cleaned and framed. In very good ready to hang condition. Free UK delivery. For more info please contact us at:

fig 2. A figurative pastel over lithograph drawing depicting a sleeping child curled up alongside a dog on a light paper background. — fig 2. Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.

Tel: 01677 424830

Mob: 07885 175279 Email: williamgreenwoodfineart@gmail.com

Trade enquiries welcome.

Sonia Lawson studied at Doncaster School of Art and the Royal College of Art, London from 1956 to 1960 where she received first-class honours and a Travelling Scholarship which took her to France in 1960. She went on to teach at Harrow School of Art and Central St Martin’s School of Art in the 1960s, West Surrey College of Art from the 1960s to the early 1970s and at the Royal College of Art during the 1980s. She has been a Visiting Lecturer at the Royal Academy Schools since 1985.

fig 3. A figurative pastel over lithograph drawing depicting a sleeping child curled up alongside a dog on a light paper background. — fig 3. Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.

Lawson’s first solo exhibition was held at the Zwemmer Gallery, London in 1960. Subsequent solo shows include the New Arts Centre, London (1963), Trafford Gallery, London (1967) and Manchester City Art Gallery (1987). A touring retrospective of her work was held in Sheffield, Hull, Bradford, Leicester and Milton Keynes (1982-3) and a major retrospective (1966 to 1996) was held at the Dean Clough Gallery, Halifax in 1996. Lawson’s work has also been included in many group exhibitions throughout the UK, Switzerland, China and the USA.

fig 4. A figurative pastel over lithograph drawing depicting a sleeping child curled up alongside a dog on a light paper background. — fig 4. Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.

In 1984 Lawson was commissioned by the Imperial War Museum to record the preparations for Exercise Lionheart, BAOR, West Germany. Similarly, in 1989 she was commissioned by Lambeth Palace for a work presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury to Pope John Paul II, which is now in the Vatican Collection, Rome. Further commissions include a book illustration (1993-4) for Poems by James Kirkup (Rockingham Press), two works for Birmingham University (1994) and drawings published in conjunction with a Fay Weldon short story (Clarion Publishing, 1995). Lawson’s work is also held in many private collections in the UK, Germany, Australia and the USA.

fig 5. A figurative pastel over lithograph drawing depicting a sleeping child curled up alongside a dog on a light paper background. — fig 5. Sonia Lawson R.A. "Sleeping Companions". Pastel Over Lithograph.

Among Lawson’s many awards include the Eastern Arts Drawing Prize (1984), the Lorne Award, London University (1986-7), and the Eastern Arts Open Drawing (First Prize, 1990). She was elected a Member of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1984 and Royal Academician in 1991 (ARA 1982). Sonia Lawson lives and works in Bedfordshire and North Yorkshire.