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Hints & Tips

Tilley & Cresta Video

Posted on by Zara Toms
Here is the full time lapse video of the recent Shetland and cart drawing I have recently finished. There were so many elements to this portrait. It could easily become very daunting and not know where to start. I have never drawn this much leather work on one portrait but I approach it as I would any other ... Break down into small sections. When you watch the time lapse video you will no...
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Shetland cart update

Posted on by Zara Toms
Fun fun fun!This portrait has been so much fun to work on. I cannot wait to share the finished photograph with you. I wish I could take good scans of my artwork. Getting the lighting right for the photographs isn't an easy task. But the scanner doesn't pick up the lighter details and it can make the drawing look really bleached out. It may be that I don't have a scanner with a high enough resolut...
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Colour pencil with airbrush

Posted on by Zara Toms
This was an A3 sized portrait where I incorporated an airbrushed background with my colour pencils. I used Frisket tape to protect the area where the dogs are and the two large stones they are sat on. I started off with my background and then when that was in peeled off the tape to then start the coloured pencil section. This is really improtant doing it in this order because the pencils are w...
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Bailey

Posted on by Zara Toms
Earlier this year I was asked to draw Bailey. A stunning chocolate Cocker Spaniel <3. The Top KnotI am so lucky to be asked to draw so many Spaniels. I love their curls and their eyes are always so expressive. Bailey has a wonderful top knot which most Spaniels have. My 3 year old Sprocker has one but its very long and straight. I have good fun giving her many hair styles haha. I a...
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Sometimes Different…

Posted on by Zara Toms
I am very lucky to get asked to draw a wide variety of pets and wildlife. But sometimes I get asked to draw something that is completely out of my comfort zone. These portraits I love! It's during these that you get to learn new skills, try new tools to achieve a specific texture or effect you want. This was definitely a piece for that. My must have tools..I could not have completed this piec...
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Hare Update

Posted on by Zara Toms
I have been working on my Hare painting any spare minutes I have. It's slowly coming together and I'm working past all the ugly stages that artists often hit! Before, I used to get so frustrated and in some cases throw my paintings away because I felt I had ruined it or wasn't going to achieve the finish I had in my mind. But I now know from experience and working through these 'ugly stages' that...
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Black Paper & Colour Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
One of my favourite methods of working is colour pencils on black paper. I love the effect it creates and with the right reference subject and photographs can make for some striking portraits. A4 (8.3" x 11.7") Colour Pencil on Black Paper This was the 3rd portrait of Ratchet I have done. The others were A5 (5.8" x 8.3") graphite pencil drawings. This has to be one of my favourite pet port...
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Drawing Curly Fur in Colour Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
When I first tried colour pencils I didn't have much luck with the medium and never imagined then that it would be the medium I use 90% of the time. When I try a new medium I go all out - maybe not the best idea but I can never just use a few colours. I like to have the whole set :). I guess because the set up and initial material cost is expensive it made me persevere. I had 120 pencils and all ...
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Drawing Curly Fur in Graphite Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
When I was asked to draw my first curly coated dog I was keen for the challenge. Looking back after many Poodle, Cockerpoo type dogs I've had the privileged of drawing I didn't realise how much it would improve my technique. It forced me to use new tools and approach the portrait in a slightly different way. Some must haves..This is where I experimented with Sofft Tools for blending and apply...
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