I have drawn ever since I can remember, and being an ardent animal lover, it was inevitable that from an early age I would gravitate to drawing animals.
Largely self-taught, for years I worked in pen and ink, but when I discovered what artists could do with the humble coloured pencil, I knew I had to try them for myself – and I was amazed. Coloured pencils have come a very long way from the scratchy pencils of my childhood. The range of colours is amazing, and the quality of the pigment is wonderful. I bought my first set of artists quality pencils, and I was hooked. I had found my preferred medium and my choice of subject matter was never in doubt. Animals – in all their furred, feathered, or wrinkly-skinned (Elephants and the like) glory.
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It was not long before I was receiving pet portrait commissions, and even though I don’t usually get to meet my subjects in the flesh, I love getting to know them through careful observation from photographs my clients send me.
A year or so ago I was fortunate to have my drawing ‘…And We Shall Have Snow’, published in Leisure Painter and The Artist Magazines, as well as several animal portraits in Ann Kulberg’s Colour Magazine.
I was also invited to write and illustrate a tutorial for DRAW Dogs book which is available from Amazon. My contribution to that book is the drawing of a Miniature Dachshund 'Puppy Love'.
This was such a special project, and I am considering offering downloadable tutorials on my website in the future.
Most recently my drawing ‘The Royals’ was published in the April 2024 issue as a Featured Artist.
Carrie Lewis’s also invited me to write and illustrate a tutorial for her popular on-line magazine, CP Magic. This Grevy’s Zebra tutorial was my contribution to the
July 2023 issue.
Animals are my usual subject matter, but now and again I like to challenge myself and try something new – something that takes me out of my comfort zone and last year I was honoured to receive a Bronze Award from the Camelback Gallery for my portrait 'The Dream Remembered'.
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This is currently on exhibition at the annual Shrewsbury Arts Trail. This was my first serious attempt at a human portrait, but it won't be my last.
So please take a wander through my website, and if you would like to commission a portrait, either of a beloved pet or a favourite animal please get in touch. Such portraits make wonderful original gifts for that special person in your life – or or why not treat yourself?