Stine Belden Røed

Layers of Line and Colour

Stine Belden Røed’s artistic practice is rooted in drawing – layered, imperfect and deeply intuitive. Originally from Stavanger, Norway, but now based in Bergen, she works from a small studio overlooking her garden and the surrounding valley. In this peaceful space, she refines her playful yet intricate compositions. Since graduating from Bergen National Academy of Art and Design in 2007, she has worked as an illustrator and graphic designer, creating book covers, concert posters and editorial illustrations. Alongside her commissioned work, she continues to develop personal projects that allow her to explore new materials and challenge her approach to drawing. “Lately, I’ve been focusing on using different pens,” she explains. “I like that you just get one chance and have not to overthink so much, which makes me a bit more free.”

A Process of Revision and Discovery

Drawing is at the core of Stine’s work, with soft B8 pencils and an eraser as her primary tools. She often revisits old, discarded sketches, working into them until something new emerges. “In the end, you can still see the old layers, but they make my drawings more interesting,” she says. Flowers, fruit and peculiar female figures recur in her compositions, inspired partly by vintage photographs and mugshots of seemingly strange women whose stories remain untold – stories that Stine lets unfold on her canvas. Whether illustrating, experimenting with new materials or sifting through flea markets in search of vintage ceramics and books, Stine’s approach remains instinctive – driven by curiosity, revision and an appreciation for the imperfect.