Festive Robin..

Posted on by Zara Toms
Over a few weekends when I have managed to work some extra hours I decided to do a few smaller studies. Being the run up to Christmas I wanted to do a festive theme and what better subject than the Robin. Creating that cyan blue background with the snow was probably my favourite part. As soon as the snow was added I felt like this pastel portrait was complete. I haven't been able to share it with...
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Cheetah in progress..

Posted on by Zara Toms
New on my easel is this Cheetah pastel portrait :). I had a few requests asking for this incredible animal to be featured on the easel. I have struggled to put my pencils down for this piece. I cannot wait to get it professionally mounted and then when finished it will be up for sale :). If you're interested and would like more details please don't hesitate to contact me at zara.toms@hotmail.co.u...
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Does colour matter?

Posted on by Zara Toms
Since uploading voice over content I have had a few comments and messages asking if I can list the colours I am using. I'll go into more detail here as to why I don't list specific colours :). Why?There are a few of reasons why I don't. I honestly believe that there are 20 ways to get to the same end. Pastels is very much like painting. You can mix colours to create so many other colours and t...
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Maisey & Lexie are finished!

Posted on by Zara Toms
Well, here it is! AT LAST! What a relief to be able to call this massive project finished. This painting is big... At the time I thought it was a good idea and then after a few days I realised this was going to take me ages. So many hours went into this painting - I lost count and realised its pretty much life size... Also, you would not believe how long it took for us to get this photo! People...
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2nd voice over..

Posted on by Zara Toms
Tomorrow at 12pm (UK) my second tutorial with voice over will go live on my YouTube channel. After my first voice over earlier in the week I had quite a few suggestions for future video tutorials. A few were for acrylics so as Oliver's tutorial was in pastels I thought I would try and offer a variety so tomorrows tutorial is this... :D This is a painting I have been working on for myself....
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Black backgrounds..

Posted on by Zara Toms
One of my favourite ways to work is against a black background. I think it creates an effect that for some photographs is perfect. I then of course adapt my work from the photograph and change the lighting, contrast and composition. Whether its colour pencils and pastels on black paper or acrylics on a black airbrushed background the end goal is the same. I haven't yet tried it with pastels this ...
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Video with voice over..

Posted on by Zara Toms
Well as mentioned yesterday, here is my first video with full voice over. In this video I have tried to explain how I approach the portrait, what I am doing and why, how I layer the fur and also explain how I went about tackling the complex blanket. https://youtu.be/0sve3X5q1cI A4 (8.3" x 11.7") Pastel Portrait I just want to say, thank you to everyone for their lovely comments. I was rea...
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