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Hints & Tips

New video!

Posted on by Zara Toms
I am taking this time (was meant to be on holiday all of this week) to focus on a painting of my own. This will be of my red Staffie and my Sprocker. I took the photo during a holiday to Scotland and the lighting is beautiful. Strong warm lighting from behind them both which has over exposed parts but that is what I like. Normally that isnt ideal for using as a reference for a pet portrait but in...
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Lily photo vs drawing

Posted on by Zara Toms
I should make more of these really! Just so you can see what I have worked from and the realism I strive to achieve in each portrait. A good photo is key..One of the key things to creating a highly detailed and realistic portrait is the reference you are working from. As an artist who is always wanting to capture the personality and character of each of my subjects this is always more achieva...
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Lily another update :)

Posted on by Zara Toms
Here is another update on my recent large acrylic painting currently on my easel. I really enjoyed capturing Lily last year for her A3 colour pencil drawing and surprise surprise I am LOVING capturing her again. I have a superb reference photograph to work from for her portrait. All that gorgeous detail to capture. I am recording the entire process of each of the six dogs on this painting so y...
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Teddy in progress..

Posted on by Zara Toms
I have kindly been given permission to share Teddy's work in progress updates with you so you can watch him develop. Sadly, Teddy is no longer with us and his family miss him dearly. This is done using pastels. A black pastel stick for the background and then pastel pencils for Teddy himself. A combination of Faber Castell Pitt Pencils, Carbothello pencils and Derwent pastel pencils. Pape...
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Designing layouts

Posted on by Zara Toms
I have wanted to do a blog post sharing how I come up with my layouts for my commissions. I use the same process and software when designing my wildlife layouts. But when choosing background colours for my pastel portraits the below examples give the clients a rough idea of which they prefer. I recently posted Monty's finished portrait here and on my social media pages. The background chosen ...
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Mounts for pastels

Posted on by Zara Toms
Here is an example of one of the mount options for my pastel portraits :). Majority of professional pastel artists do not use fixatives. Fixatives are a spray which are applied to the finished portrait to apply a layer which seals in the pastel. There are massive issue associated with fixatives because these fixatives actually alter the colours of the finished piece. They often also 'spit' o...
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Planning my layouts and mock ups

Posted on by Zara Toms
I have recently added pastels to my medium list. I LOVE LOVE LOVE pastels. How I haven't used them before now seems crazy and I am so excited for 2020 and the commission I get to do with them. For my commissions where necessary I will create many layouts and various mock ups for my clients to see how their portrait will look and enable them choose their favourite. PastelsFor my pastel portr...
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Frame chosen!

Posted on by Zara Toms
I love being part of the framing process wherever possible because seeing my portraits framed really does finish them off. I'm so lucky to have a fantastic framer just up the road from me who always does such an exceptional job (Ace Framing & Art Gallery). Tilley & Cresta's drawing will have a gorgeous double mount and a stunning wooden style frame. It compliments the portrait perfectl...
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Penguin Family

Posted on by Zara Toms
12" x 16" Acrylic on pre-stretched canvas* Original for sale * Now that I have completed my Christmas pet portrait commissions as mentioned in yesterdays post I have this time to focus on some wildlife pieces. The planning..I have had this portrait planned for a couple of months. I sourced many reference photographs for this and adapted it to create something unique. I knew I wanted a glac...
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My next pastel piece.. and paper talk :)

Posted on by Zara Toms
Back in June this year I purchased 2 full sets of pastel pencils and a full 120 soft pastel stick set. About 5 years ago I bought the full set of Derwent pastel pencils and only used them once and never finished the drawing. It was of a Zebra and for whatever reason, which I cannot remember, I never completed it. This wasn't unusual as I did used to start a wildlife piece and start another before...
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