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These Portraits From Ed Sheeran's New Book Are Incredible

Stunning work by British artist Phillip Butah from Ed Sheeran: A Visual Journey.

Dan Dalton
by Dan Dalton

BuzzFeed Staff

Ed Sheeran: An Illustrated Journey is a new book that gives fans a behind the scenes look at Sheeran's life and music, with original artwork by his friend, Phillip Butah.

Phillip Butah / Cassel Illustrated

Phillip says: "Coloured pastel on coloured paper. Ed is two years old; he has such innocence."

An established artist in his own right, Butah was awarded The Prince of Wales’s Young Artists’ Award at 16, and studied Fine Art at Central Saint Martins.

Philip Butah / Octopus

Phillip says: "Coloured pastel on coloured paper. Ed's in a recording booth very early on here."

In 2008, Butah was included in "The Powerlist: Britain's 100 most influential black people" and in 2009, he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Prince Charles.

Philip Butah / Octopus

Phillip says: "Coloured wax pastel on coloured paper. This is at Ed’s house, Ed had just done a radio interview on No Hats, No Trainers and we were listening to hip hop together."

On working with Sheeran, Butah says: "I respect him so much. He has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is and he’s always remained so humble throughout."

Philip Butah / Octopus

Phillip says: "Watercolour pen on paper. We were just chilling out and jamming at mine."

"I know, because I was there when he was gigging in the early days. I was there when he was recording demos in the studio."

Philip Butah / Octopus

Phillip says: "Coloured pastels on coloured paper. Ed’s in the studio, working on collaborations."

"He said to me, ‘Phil, is it really going to work for me?’"

Phillip Butah / Cassel Illustrated

Phillip says: "Graphite on paper. This was on the video set for ‘You need me, I don’t need you’. It was eventually used for the single’s artwork."

"‘Bro, you’re going to be huge,’ I told him, with absolute confidence."

Philip Butah / Octopus

Phillip says: "Graphite stick on paper. At Ed’s house in Suffolk. I visualize the shape of the head on the paper before I start working, then I always create the eyes last."

Butah lives in East London, where he also has a studio. You can find more info at his website, and follow him on Twitter here.

Phillip Butah / Cassel Illustrated

Phillip says: "Coloured pastel on coloured paper. This is one of a series. It's fairly fragmented but finished and I like the feeling that it captures."