Artist

Chantal is a traditional soft-pastel horror portrait artist based in Queensland, Australia.

Chantal creates hand-drawn portraits of horror characters, focusing on the moment they still feel human, the quiet pause before the monster fully appears. Each artwork is produced entirely by hand using soft pastels on archival paper and exists as a single physical piece.

No reproductions are created. Once collected, a work is permanently retired.

Chantal grew up in England and has worked for over three decades in animation and graphic design before returning to traditional drawing. Her love of 1970s and 1980s horror cinema continues to influence the subjects she chooses and the atmosphere she creates in each portrait.

She graduated from Griffith University (Brisbane) with a BA in Character Animation.

Her work has been featured in international horror and genre publications including Fangoria Magazine, the Printed in Blood art books, The Little Shoppe of Horrors magazine, Kensington Gore Publications and Creators Unite Magazine.

Original artworks are held in private collections worldwide.

Chantal also contributes to the Twitter Art Exhibit, donating original postcard artworks to global charity exhibitions.

Chantal Handley’s work has been highlighted in interviews and features within the horror community, reflecting her ongoing exploration of horror cinema through traditional pastel portraiture.

Featured In

Scream Magazine – Issue 46

“Terror in Pastel Form” – Artist Spotlight on Chantal Handley.

Scream Magazine, the UK's premier horror publication, spotlighted Chantal Laura Handley in their artist feature titled “Terror in Pastel Form” in Issue 46. This in-depth interview delves into Chantal's unique approach to horror portraiture, her inspirations, and her journey in capturing the essence of horror icons through pastel art. Scream Horror Magazine

“Handley’s work brings a haunting elegance to horror’s most iconic faces, blending classical techniques with chilling subject matter.”
— Scream Magazine, Issue 46

📰 Featured Artist – Rue Morgue Magazine

"Multi-talented graphic and pastel artist Chantal Laura Handley of Queensland, Australia, has some very stylish non-medical horror-themed face masks available in her shop right now."

Rue Morgue Magazine – September 4, 2020 Read the full feature

Daily Dead — Artist Profile

"Her portraits are absolutely stunning... if you're looking for some iconic horror art to fill your walls, or give as a gift this season, be sure to visit Chantal's online store." Read the full feature

HorrorBuzz — Artist Spotlight Interview

"Horror films, arguably more than other films, have the opportunity for more extreme facial expression, and a portrait has the ability to capture the soul and emotion of a character." Read the full interview