Why Mr and Mrs Andrews by Thomas Gainsborough Is My Favourite Painting

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:34:42 GMT

As an art teacher, one of the questions I’m asked most often is, “What’s your favourite artist?” I never quite know how to answer. It’s an impossible choice. There are simply too many artists whose work I admire for different reasons. However, when it comes to choosing my favourite painting, the answer comes much more easily. Without hesitation, I always return to Mr and Mrs Andrews by Thomas Gainsborough.

The Mystery of the Unfinished Lap

And then there is the detail that fascinates me most of all.

Mrs Andrews’ lap.

It’s unfinished.

There is a strange, empty area where something should be—but isn’t.

For an artist as skilled as Gainsborough, this would not have been an accident.

So, what was supposed to be there?

Art historians have suggested several possibilities.

Perhaps a book. Perhaps embroidery.

But the theory that captures my imagination—and the imagination of my students—is this:

Was there supposed to be a baby?

This portrait was painted shortly after their marriage. A child would have represented security, legacy, and the continuation of the family line.

Was Gainsborough leaving space to add a future child?

And if so… why was it never completed?

Did the baby never arrive?

We don’t know.

And that’s what makes it so powerful.

A Painting Full of Questions

This painting never gives us answers. Only clues.

It invites us to interpret body language. To question relationships. To think about status, ambition, gender roles, and identity.

It reminds my students—and me—that paintings are not just images.

They are stories.

Sometimes happy ones.

Sometimes uncomfortable ones.

And sometimes unfinished ones.

Why It Will Always Be My Favourite

I love this painting because it sparks conversation every single time.

Students notice Mrs Andrews’ expression almost immediately. They begin to create their own narratives. They engage. They question.

It proves that art is not about finding the “right” answer.

It’s about looking. Thinking. Wondering.

And more than anything, it shows that even a painting created over 270 years ago can still make us feel curious today.

That is why Mr and Mrs Andrews will always be my favourite painting.

You can see this extraordinary painting in real life at the National Gallery, London. It’s definitely worth a visit.

This painting fascinates me every single time I look at it. Not because it is the most technically perfect painting ever created, nor because it tells us a clear story. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s the mystery, the psychology, and the unanswered questions that make it, in my opinion, one of the most compelling paintings in British art.

Mrs Andrews Doesn’t Want to Be There

The first thing I always notice—and the first thing I point out to my students—is Mrs Andrews herself.

She doesn’t look comfortable. She doesn’t look relaxed. And most importantly, she doesn’t look happy.

Her posture is stiff and closed. Her arms are folded tightly in her lap. Her body angles slightly away from her husband. There is no warmth between them, no shared glance, no connection. She appears as if she has been placed there rather than choosing to be there.

In contrast, Mr Andrews seems perfectly at ease. He stands confidently, legs apart, leaning casually on his gun. His stance is open, relaxed, and self-assured. He belongs.

This contrast tells us so much without a single word being spoken.

It makes me wonder: was Mrs Andrews made to dress up and sit for this portrait to support her husband’s ambitions?

Mr Andrews and His Aspirations

Robert Andrews was a wealthy landowner, but wealth and status were not always the same thing in 18th-century England. The painting feels, to me, like a statement. A declaration.

Look at what surrounds him.

Not just his wife—but his land.

The carefully cultivated fields stretch into the distance. This isn’t just a portrait of a couple. It’s a portrait of ownership, success, and aspiration.

He isn’t simply saying, “This is my wife.”

He’s saying, “This is my world.”

His gun suggests leisure and privilege. He does not need to work the land himself. He owns it.

Mrs Andrews, meanwhile, feels almost like another symbol of that success.

Why Choose Gainsborough?

This is where the story becomes even more interesting.

Gainsborough was, at heart, a landscape painter. He loved painting nature. In fact, landscapes were his passion.

Portraits, on the other hand, were how he earned his living.

So why would Mr Andrews choose Gainsborough?

One possibility is practical: Gainsborough was local to the Andrews’ area of Suffolk. It would have made sense to hire a talented local artist.

Another possibility, which I find particularly intriguing to discuss with students, is that Gainsborough offered something other portrait painters didn’t.

He could paint land beautifully.

And in this portrait, the land is just as important as the people.

In fact, I’d argue it’s the real subject of the painting.

Was Gainsborough chosen because he was cheaper than more established London portrait artists? Perhaps.

Or was he chosen because he could immortalise not just the Andrews themselves, but their success, their property, and their place in society?

Why Drawing Is So Important (Even If You Think You Can’t Draw)

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:34:42 GMT

When was the last time you picked up a pencil — or even a pen — and just… drew?

Not to show anyone. Not to be perfect.
Just to draw.

Somewhere along the way, many people decided they couldn’t draw. Often this comes from comparing ourselves to others, or from becoming overly critical of our own efforts. But the truth is, we are often our own worst critic. We stop ourselves before we’ve even given ourselves the chance to enjoy it.

Drawing isn’t a performance. It’s a process. And it’s something anyone can return to at any time.

Any Surface Will Do

You don’t need a sketchbook to begin.

Draw on scrap paper.

Draw on the back of a shop receipt.

Draw on an envelope, a notebook margin, or a napkin.

Use a pencil, or use a pen.

A pen can be especially freeing, because it encourages you to let go of the idea of mistakes. You don’t need to rub anything out. Those extra lines, those unexpected marks, become part of the drawing. They become part of your composition, your energy, and your expression.

They tell the story of how you saw and responded in that moment.

Drawing doesn’t have to be an event. It can be part of everyday life.

Small moments count.

Let Go of Judgment

Not every drawing will be your best.

That’s completely normal.

Every line is part of the process. Every drawing builds confidence, observation, and skill. And most importantly, it builds enjoyment.

No one else even needs to see it.

This is for you.

Just Pick Up a Pencil and Give It a Go

Drawing offers so many benefits — mindfulness, relaxation, creative expression, and a deeper connection to the world around you.

It helps you slow down. It helps you see. It helps you imagine.

All you have to do is start.

Pick up a pencil. Or a pen. Use whatever paper is nearby. And give it a go. You might be surprised by not only what you create, but how much you enjoy it.

Drawing Isn’t About Being “Good”

You don’t need the perfect setup or expensive materials to begin. What matters most is simply allowing yourself to start.

Children draw without hesitation. They don’t question whether they’re good at it. They draw because it feels natural, because they’re curious, and because they enjoy the process. As adults, we can lose that freedom, but it’s still there, waiting for us.

And when people do want to develop their skills and confidence, they often discover that with the right guidance, drawing becomes even more enjoyable and rewarding.

The most important step is giving yourself permission to begin.

Drawing Brings Mindfulness and Calm

Drawing naturally slows you down.

Your attention shifts to what is in front of you — the curve of a line, the shape of a shadow, the movement of your hand. Your mind becomes quieter because it has something gentle and focused to do.

This is why drawing can be so relaxing. It gives you space. It helps reduce stress. It allows you to be present.

It’s mindfulness in a very simple, accessible form.

You Start to See the World Differently

When you draw, you begin to observe rather than just look.

You notice details that were always there but often overlooked — light falling across a surface, the shape of a leaf, the character in an everyday object.

The world becomes more interesting, more detailed, and more inspiring.

And that way of seeing stays with you.

It Unlocks Your Imagination

Drawing allows you to turn thoughts into something real.

Ideas, memories, observations, or something completely imagined can all exist on the page. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to make sense.

It just has to be yours.

There is a real sense of freedom in that.

How to Find Your Own Art Style

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:34:42 GMT

Finding your own art style is one of the most exciting and frustrating parts of being an artist. Many beginners worry they don’t have a style yet, but the truth is your style develops naturally over time. It’s not something you force. It’s something you discover.

Below is a simple guide to help you find your unique artistic voice.

5. Your Mistakes Are Part of Your Style

Sometimes the things you think are mistakes are actually what makes your art unique.

Maybe you draw eyes a certain way, use bold lines, or simplify shapes.

These become part of your visual identity.

Style is often just your natural way of drawing.

6. Be Patient — Style Takes Time

Your art style won’t appear overnight.

It may take months or even years.

But every drawing moves you closer.

Even famous artists changed over time. Style is not something you find once. It continues to grow with you.

Final Thoughts

Your art style is not something you choose. It’s something that appears as you practice, experiment, learn, and enjoy creating.

The most important thing you can do is simple.

Keep making art. Your style is already forming, even if you don’t see it yet.

1. Make a Lot of Art First

Your style comes from repetition. The more you create; the more patterns begin to appear.

When you draw often, you’ll notice you naturally prefer certain shapes, colours, subjects, and line styles.

At first, your art may look different every time. This is normal. Style comes from volume, not waiting.

Many famous artists, including Pablo Picasso, went through many different styles before finding what made them unique.

2. Copy Artists You Love (Yes, Really)

Copying is one of the best ways to learn.

When you copy, you learn how artists use lines, simplify shapes, and apply colour.

You’re not stealing—you’re training your brain.

For example, Vincent van Gogh developed his famous style after studying other artists and experimenting.

Over time, you’ll mix influences together. That mixture becomes your style.

3. Pay Attention to What You Enjoy Drawing Most

Your style is strongly connected to what excites you.

Ask yourself if you like drawing people, animals, dark themes, cute characters, or realism or cartoons.

Your interests shape your style.

If you force yourself to draw things you don’t enjoy, your style won’t feel natural.

4. Experiment With Everything

Try different tools such as pencil, ink, paint, and digital.

Try different subjects and techniques.

Experimenting helps you discover what feels right.

Style often comes from combining different experiments.

Why Mr and Mrs Andrews by Thomas Gainsborough Is My Favourite Painting

Why Mr and Mrs Andrews by Thomas Gainsborough Is My Favourite Painting

Why Drawing Is So Important (Even If You Think You Can’t Draw)

When was the last time you picked up a pencil — or even a pen — and just… drew?

Not to show anyone. Not to be perfect. Just to draw.

Drawing isn’t a performance. It’s a process. And it’s something anyone can return to at any time.

How to Find Your Own Art Style

Finding your own art style is one of the most exciting and frustrating parts of being an artist. Many beginners worry they don’t have a style yet, but the truth is your style develops naturally over time. It’s not something you force. It’s something you discover.

Not to show anyone. Not to be perfect.
Just to draw.