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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Oideas Gael i nGleann Cholm Cille, Donegal group show to remember 100 years since the American artist Rockwell Kent came to the area. I have two works on display. Thanks to Christy Gillespie and Oideas Gael for hosting and production. #oideasgael #glencolmcille #irishart #absractart #oilpainting

I have two works on display developed from images of a nearly 6,000 year old Court Tomb made by the first farming communities to come to the Gleann. In displaying these I was referencing the collective community effort to build the tomb. A similar community effort is also referenced in the construction of 'Dan Wards Haystack' as painted by Kent.
Image from exhibition catalogue showing the two works.

Image of exhibition catalogue cover showing Rockwell Kent in his studio.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

It's National Drawing Day so just nipped into the Ulster Museum for a sketch of these Bronze age cauldron and bucket. Blackwing pencil on A5 cartridge paper. #nationaldrawingday #ulstermuseum #archaeology #drawing #bronzeage

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

Thats winter life drawing practice at the Royal Hibernian Academy finished with a portrait painting. The video shows progress at each 25 minute stage. Back to the abstraction now. #irishart #oilpainting #lifedrawing #portraitpainting #rhaschool

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

On the studio wall for a couple of months now. Some ideas last night and set to work today. Inspired by the 6,000 year old Farranmacbride Court Tomb in Gleann Cholm Cille. #sketching #irisharchaeology #gleanncholmcille #donegal #irishartists #irishart #oilpainting #abstractart #abstractpainting

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Not setting out to be a portrait painter, just using portrait painting to practice and develop my painting skills for use in my more abstract work. At the Royal Hibernian Academy last week. #irishart #oilpainting #lifedrawing #portraitpainting #rhaschool #abstractart #drawing #painting #irishartists

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Doing some portrait painting today during life drawing at the Royal Hibernian Academy. #irishart #oilpainting #lifedrawing #portraitpainting #rhaschool

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

I've been running a bit of focus on portraits in ink at life drawing sessions at the Royal Hibernian Academy. These are some of the results. On cheap smooth A2 cartridge and ink in 3 pre diluted pots. #irishart #irishartists #lifedrawing #portraits #inkdrawing #royalhibernianacademy #rhaschool

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

A couple of drawings from yesterday's life drawing at the Royal Hibernian Academy. A 5 minute piece in black Conte pencil and a 75 minute sketch in a Staedler 6b pencil. #royalhibernianacademy #lifedrawing #pencildrawing #rhaschool #pencil #irishart #irishartists #drawing

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

Back at life drawing at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Some details in Black conté pencil together with 6b pencil for the longer detailed pose. All on A2 paper. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #rhaschool #irishart #irishartists #pencil

Woman lying down with feet towards the viewer creating a foreshortened image. 6b pencil on A2 paper.

Drawings of a face, a hand and a foot made in black Conté pencil on A2 paper.

Drawing of a foot in black Conté pencil.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Up early this morning for another hour of quick 2/3/4/5 minute portrait sketches drawingisfree.org. A great way to start the week. Missed the first couple of poses and had a go at the remaining 11. #drawing #portraits #pencil #irishartists #irishart #drawingisfree #blackwingpencil

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Work in progress on another painting originating from views of the 5,000 year old Farranmacbride Court Tomb in Gleann Cholm Cille. #sketching #irisharchaeology #gleanncholmcille #donegal #irishartists #irishart

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Errigle Inn is 90 today so thought I should go along and get in a bit of drawing practice. #pencildrawing #irishart #errigleinn #irishartists #blackwingpencil

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

You can catch my drawings 'Healthy Headspace' made as a part of the NIMHAF until January at the Arches Primary Care centre in Belfast. Staff jotted down their thoughts which is exhibited with the simultaneous hour long drawing. #nimhaf #pencildrawing #portraits #irishart #irishartists #belfasttrust

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

'Even in the Darkest Times’ - AN EXHIBITION IN AID OF MSF in GAZA. I've had this piece 'Blue' selected. Opening Friday 5 December, 6 - 8.00pm at Ranelagh Arts in Dublin. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #respectingdiversity #abstraction

Abstract Oil on Canvas derived from hand movements. 76 x 51 x 3cm

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Up early this morning for an hour of 12 quick 3 or 4 minute sketches drawingisfree.org. A great way to start the week. #drawing #portraits #pencil #irishartists #irishart

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Enjoyed hanging 'Architects as Artists' at RSUA HQ in Mountcharles. Opens tonight, runs until Christmas. My piece based on ogham versions of surnames of immigrants. More on my Bluesky account: bsky.app/profile/mdoh... #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Dark nights so down in the studio. Starting with some sketches for a new painting derived from the 5,000 year old Farranmacbride Court Tomb in Gleann Cholm Cille. #sketching #irisharchaeology #gleanncholmcille #donegal #irishartists #irishart

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I like to practice my skills on holidays without the stress and concerns associated with my abstracts. Had my little Reeves watercolour tin away with me in Greece for this historic Captain's House. #Watercolours #reeves #urbansketching #lindos #rhodes #greece #historicmonuments #irishartists

Watercolour in warm ochres and cool blues and purples of a stone archway under a historic captains house in the Village of Lindos on Rhodes in the Greek Dodecanese Islands. Made using a simple Reeves watercolour set, a couple of sable brushes and a bamboo pen.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

When you can't get a life model and need some drawing practice. Many thanks Posidonas. #lindos #rhodes #lifedrawing #irishart #Irishartists #donkey

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Final week of my Exhibition 'Pushing Boundaries' 10.30 - 4.00p.m. each day at the Engine Room, 59 North Street, Belfast. I'll be there in person Thursday lunchtime and on Saturday. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

Gave a tour of my #engineroombelfast exhibition 'Pushing Boundaries' this morning to a great group of young photographers led by the amazing #HelenSloan on the #belfastexposed summer scheme. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Computer generated view of the exhibition.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Many thanks to the great turnout who came to my opening in the Engine Room Gallery last night. I'll be there tomorrow if anyone wants to pop in or send a friend (out for lunch 12-2.00pm). #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Nearly there with the great ER team install of my solo exhibition in the Engine Room Gallery Belfast. Opens this Thursday, 7 August, at 7.00pm and runs until 30 August. #latenightart_belfast #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

View through a doorway in a hallway, cluttered with unhung paintings, to a large blue abstract painting by Michael Doherty hanging on a wall beyond.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Working towards my Solo Exhibition opening in the Engine Room Gallery Belfast on Thursday 7 August at 7.00pm and running until 30 August. www.michaeldohertyart.com #latenightart_belfast #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Computer generated image of an art gallery displayinging painti gs and drawings

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

40 years ago with Live Aid we were proud to be a generation saying to our elders that hunger must end. Same generation 40 years later facilitating hunger as a weapon of war. Stand up, be counted. 6pm, this Friday, 25 July. Erskine House, UK Gov H.Q. Chichester Street, Belfast. 200m from City Hall.

Information on demonstration together with pictures of starving and starved children.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Just landed. Some publicity cards for my solo show in the Engine Room Gallery opening 7 August next month. #Irishart #irishabstractart #abstractart #engineroomgallery #Irishartists

Rectangular publicity cards stacked on a table. Invitation details on one side and an abstract painting on the other.
Michael Doherty
Pushing Boundaries
Painting. Drawing.
Opening Thursday 7 August 7.00 - 9.00pm.
Continues until 30 August 2025.
The Engine Room Gallery
59 North Street, Belfast.
Www.michaeldohertyart.com

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 26/06/2025

I had the inks out for a while on the Inishlacken Project artists residency this year. Had to go for it on this one after a couple of careful studies at the same location. #inishlacken #connemara #theinishlackenproject #irishart #irishartists #inkdrawing #inks

ink drawing in black and white on paper of the Wilkinsons House on Inishlacken Island in Connemara. Hills in the backgrond and a rough laneway in the foreground. Drawn on A4 watercolour paper in about 20 minutes.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Is suíomh stairiúil é Dún Aonghasa ar Inis Mór, amach ó chósta na Gaillimhe. Síltar gur tógadh é thart ar thrí mhíle bliain ó shin. Peann luaidhe ar pháipéar A4 #pencildrawing #irisharchaeology #inismor #irishart #irishartists

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Great to get a mention in the Irish Arts Review for my upcoming solo Exhibition 'Pushing Boundaries' in the Engine Room Gallery, Belfast, opening 7.00pm on 7 August. All welcome. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Section of an abstract painting in progress that will be on show in the 'Pushing Boundaries' exhibition. 120 x 100 in oil on canvas.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 17/05/2025

It's national drawing day and final day working with NHS staff on 'Healthy Headspace' as a part of the NIMHAF. My drawings with staff text will be on display daytime next week from Monday afternoon 19 -23 May, foyer RVH, Belfast. #nationaldrawingday #irishart #nimhaf #portraits #pencildrawing

Twelve head drawings on A2 paper in pencil on display in the foyer of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Each drawing is of a member of the National Health Service team and is titled with their role and accompanied with their notes of what was happening in their head during the drawing process. All as a part of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival.

One of the pencil head drawings made in today's final session as a part of the project.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 16/05/2025

In progress: Day 2 of 'Healthy Headspace' exhibition at the Royal Victoria Hospital as a part of the Northern Ireland Mental Health Arts Festival. Finishing up tomorrow afternoon, call if you can. #nimhaf #pencildrawing #portraits #irishart #irishartists #royalvictoriahospital #mentalhealth

Series of pencil head drawings of men and women. Staff jot down what's going on in their heads as they sit for an hour being drawn. Head drawings and their notes are exhibited together.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

While my abstract work is my artistic struggle, I enjoy the relaxation of sketching while travelling. I've just had this article on the Greek island of Symi published in the Royal Society of Ulster Architects journal 'Perspective'. #sketching #symi #pencildrawing #indianink #irishartist #greece

Four pages of drawings and text on the Island of Symi. Ink sketched from 2024 and pencil from a few years earlier.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

A section of a painting I've been struggling with for a few weeks now. I changed the ratio of dark and light areas which has set me off again. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity #abstraction

Abstract painting with a vertical emphasis. Light coloured neutral ground with smaller areas of more saturated colour.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 21/04/2025

An Phalaistín. Ag brath orainn.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

A section of work in the studio at the moment. I'll be showing this as a part of a solo show in the Engine Room Gallery, Belfast in August 2025. More detail to follow. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Oil paint on oil primed linen. Burnt sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Yellow Ochre, a little Lemon Yellow and a little Alizarin Crimson. A mix of abstract linear marks at differing scales and lengths on a light orange ground.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 14/04/2025

Had a trip up to see the Legananny portal tomb near Dromara and looking towards the Mournes. This tomb type dates from around 2500 - 2000 b.c. A really special tomb given the slenerness of the portal stones that support the cap stone. #irisharchaeology #mournemountains #down #portaltombs

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

What a night at the Spirit Store in Dundalk to hear The 4 of Us in concert. All the classics, great acoustics and a great crowd. They're playing the Empire in Belfast on Sun 4 May, one not to miss. #the4ofus #theempirebelfast the4ofus.com

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I was really happy with this sketch from last week. Getting close to the model and looking down creates a dynamic not normally seen in the life drawing room. 6b pencil on A2 paper. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #rhaschool #irishart #irishartists #pencil

Naked man lying face up with head to the right. Drawn in pencil with hatched tonal areas. About 50 minutes drawing time. Smooth paper allowed the 6b pencil to move fluidly across the surface. Holding the pencil well back from the tip (as usual) and allowing a flat area to develop on the lead to facilitate the soft hatched areas.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 28/03/2025

Going big today at the Royal Hibernian Academy life drawing with a full sheet of Fabriano paper. Pre mixed indian ink plus undiluted ink to get a deep black here and there. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #irishart #irishartists

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

Bím i mbun ag cleachtadh portráidí na laethanta seo le linn an ama beotharraingt ag an Acadamh Ibeirneacha Ríoga. Ag bhant triail as dúch nach raibh in úsáid agam le tamall anuas. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #irishart #irishartists #pencil #indianink #headstudy

Portráid déanta le dúch ag taispeáint fear óg le féasóg agus gruaig shúgánach air.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Sometimes it's the shorter poses that give the best results. Yesterday at the Royal Hibernian Academy with Francis the model striking a praying pose. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #irishart #irishartists #pencil #indianink #contepencil #headstudy

Ink life drawing on A2 cartridge paper of head of older thin kneeling man facing the viewer. Hands held in prayer. 12 minute drawing.

Conte pencil head study drawing on A2 cartridge paper of older thin bearded man. 5 minute study.

Ink life drawing on A2 cartridge paper of older thin kneeling man facing away from the viewer. 12 minute drawing.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

This week it was female models in the Royal Hibernian Academy life drawing studio. Week about male and female models. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #irishart #irishartists #pencil #6bpencil #headstudy

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 22/02/2025

Section of another hand movement painting I've been working on this past while. There's a struggle and a satisfaction with the actions, consideration and reactions involved in painting these. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Warm painted ground with cooler overlays in muted cyan and darker lines. Oil on canvas.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Still abstract painting but drawing skill is a critical part of my practice so life drawing again in Dublin at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Another big head study and a back view. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #irishart #irishartists #pencil #6bpencil #headstudy

Pencil head study with shoulders of young man facing front. Pencil work mostly in 6b with areas of parallel hatching overlaid with one another. A little 4b for detail. All almost filling an A2 sheet of cartridge paper.

Pencil study of nude man facing left. Drawn from behind showing the back and left arm. Height of an A2 page, Pencil work mostly in 6b with areas of parallel hatching overlaid with one another. Some 4b pencil work to bring out details.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Life drawing again in Dublin at the Royal Hibernian Academy. Getting into the habit of big head studies. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #royalhibernianacademy #irishart #irishartists #pencil #6bpencil #headstudy

Pencil head study of bald middle aged man facing left. Pencil work mostly in 6b with areas of parallel hatching overlaid with one another.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

A section of a painting I've been working on this past week that I'll need to let rest. It's another from my hand movement series under the title 'Respecting diversity, protecting diversity'. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Dark expressive abstract marks on a cyan ground. Painted in oils on acrylic primed canvas on a 3:2 ratio stretcher. Brush work and some knife work together with some scrafitti.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Life drawing this week in the American Bar down in the Belfast docks. Arranged by 'Anna's Life Drawing'. A great model and a lovely group of people. #lifedrawing #drawing #portrait #art #irishart #irishartists #pencil #6bpencil #headstudy

Pencil sketch of upper torso of nude female. On roughly A3 size paper. I used 6b pencil initially to sketch out and block in. I then worked in some detail with a 4b and 2b.

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Michael Doherty @mdohertyart.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I posted an image of the underpainting of this a couple of weeks ago. Where it's currently at developed from a series title 'Respecting diversity, protecting diversity. #abstractart #oilpainting #Irishart #Irishartists #cultureneedsdiversity #drawing #art #respectingdiversity

Cool greens and warm ochres overlaid with amorphous marks. Oil on canvas. Nearly there. Another in my series based on hand movements. This one one generated from thoughts on the topic of 'Respecting diversity, protecting diversity'

Warm ochres overlaid with fluid amorphous marks.

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