Welcome to the Illustrations Gallery of Bruce Thomson

Here, you’ll find a selection of Bruce’s published works, such as his captivating illustrations for Tam o' Shanter, alongside the charming and heartfelt drawings from the letters he sent to his young family while working offshore. These latter pieces, created with materials at hand on simple fax paper, offer a unique glimpse into Bruce’s life, blending his personal experiences with his passion for drawing. Explore this collection to see how Bruce’s creativity flourished in both his professional endeavours and the intimate moments shared with loved ones.

Illustration from "Tam O'Shanter" by Bruce Thomson. This illustration depicts the moment in Tam o' Shanter where Tam watches in awe as Nannie, the witch in a short "cutty sark," leads a wild dance at the Kirk of Alloway, just before the witches notic

Illustration from "Tam O'Shanter" by Bruce Thomson. This illustration depicts the moment in Tam o' Shanter where Tam watches in awe as Nannie, the witch in a short "cutty sark," leads a wild dance at the Kirk of Alloway, just before the witches notice him and give chase.

This illustration represents a scene from Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter where Tam witnesses the witches' sabbath at the Kirk of Alloway. In this particular moment, one of the witches is depicted sitting on a cannon, which is part of the eerie collecti

This illustration represents a scene from Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter where Tam witnesses the witches' sabbath at the Kirk of Alloway. In this particular moment, one of the witches is depicted sitting on a cannon, which is part of the eerie collection of objects scattered around the church.

Bruce Thomson's vibrant illustration from Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars captures the lively scene of the beggars dancing and singing with abandon, embodying the spirit of joy and revelry despite their hardships.

Bruce Thomson's vibrant illustration from Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars captures the lively scene of the beggars dancing and singing with abandon, embodying the spirit of joy and revelry despite their hardships.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts the climactic moment in Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter when Tam and his loyal mare, Maggie, desperately flee the pursuing witches across the Brig o' Doon. Maggie's final leap across the bridge, just as one of

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts the climactic moment in Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter when Tam and his loyal mare, Maggie, desperately flee the pursuing witches across the Brig o' Doon. Maggie's final leap across the bridge, just as one of the witches grasps her tail, is one of the most famous moments in Scottish literature.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts the opening scene of Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter, where Tam and his companions are enjoying a night of heavy drinking at a local inn.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts the opening scene of Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter, where Tam and his companions are enjoying a night of heavy drinking at a local inn.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts a scene from Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars, capturing the moment when a character, caught at last, is bound and confined in a dungeon, symbolising the hardships and rebellious spirit of the beggars' lives.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts a scene from Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars, capturing the moment when a character, caught at last, is bound and confined in a dungeon, symbolising the hardships and rebellious spirit of the beggars' lives.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson vividly captures the scene from Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter where "Old Nick," the devil in the form of a beast, plays the bagpipes with menacing delight.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson vividly captures the scene from Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter where "Old Nick," the devil in the form of a beast, plays the bagpipes with menacing delight.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson captures the dramatic climax of Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter, where Tam and his horse, Maggie, make a desperate leap across the Brig o' Doon to escape the pursuing witches.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson captures the dramatic climax of Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter, where Tam and his horse, Maggie, make a desperate leap across the Brig o' Doon to escape the pursuing witches.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson is inspired by Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars, a poem that captures the joyous revelry of society's outcasts.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson is inspired by Robert Burns' The Jolly Beggars, a poem that captures the joyous revelry of society's outcasts.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts another intense moment from Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter. Specifically, it shows Tam with Maggie, his horse, straining to flee from the pursuing witches during a stormy night.

This illustration by Bruce Thomson depicts another intense moment from Robert Burns' Tam o' Shanter. Specifically, it shows Tam with Maggie, his horse, straining to flee from the pursuing witches during a stormy night.

Bruce Thomson's illustration from The Jolly Beggars by Robert Burns portrays the Old Soldier recounting his tales of war with animated fervor.

Bruce Thomson's illustration from The Jolly Beggars by Robert Burns portrays the Old Soldier recounting his tales of war with animated fervor.

Illustration from a letter written by Bruce from an oil rig in the North Sea to his children, depicting a snowstorm blowing on the family home in Scotland.

Illustration from a letter written by Bruce from an oil rig in the North Sea to his children, depicting a snowstorm blowing on the family home in Scotland.

Illustration from a letter written by Bruce from an oil rig in the North Sea to his children, depicting his daughter trying to escape the family deerhound with a biscuit.

Illustration from a letter written by Bruce from an oil rig in the North Sea to his children, depicting his daughter trying to escape the family deerhound with a biscuit.

Illustration from a letter written by Bruce from an oil rig in the North Sea to his children, depicting the creatures lurking in the sea beneath his oil rig.

Illustration from a letter written by Bruce from an oil rig in the North Sea to his children, depicting the creatures lurking in the sea beneath his oil rig.

Children's illustration by Brcue Thomson of winter arriving at the family home in Scotland.

Children's illustration by Brcue Thomson of winter arriving at the family home in Scotland.

Children's illustration by Bruce Thomson depicting his wife attempting to catch a rabbit with her bare hands, under the watchful eye of the family deerhound - the resident rabbit-catching expert.

Children's illustration by Bruce Thomson depicting his wife attempting to catch a rabbit with her bare hands, under the watchful eye of the family deerhound - the resident rabbit-catching expert.

Bruce Thomson's illustration of the weather, featured in a letter he wrote to his children while he worked offshore in the North Sea.

Bruce Thomson's illustration of the weather, featured in a letter he wrote to his children while he worked offshore in the North Sea.

Illustration from a letter from Bruce to his son, written while Bruce worked offshore.

Illustration from a letter from Bruce to his son, written while Bruce worked offshore.

Children's illustration by Bruce Thomson depicting his daughter sneezing.

Children's illustration by Bruce Thomson depicting his daughter sneezing.

Children's illustration of Bruce's floating oil rig in rough seas.

Children's illustration of Bruce's floating oil rig in rough seas.

Learn more about Bruce

Learn more about Bruce Thomson, a versatile and reclusive Scottish artist whose work spans multiple mediums, including paintings, etchings, and sculptures. Influenced by surrealism, modernism, and mythology, Bruce's art captures a remarkable range, from bold abstract forms to detailed figurative sketches.