Meet Cleo <3

Posted on by Zara Toms
I don't get asked to draw as many cats as I do dogs but when I do I love the change! Capturing the feline expression is something I really enjoyed. Cleo has such a sweet face and the lighting in the reference photo was ideal. She was sat right at the window so that light bouncing off the black fur was a real delight to capture. This background is definitely one of the most popular. The soft gr...
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New on the easel!

Posted on by Zara Toms
Billie is a very sweet Cocker Spaniel who I have the absolute pleasure of drawing. Last year, I was asked to draw her brother Buddy. Buddy's portrait was an A4 colour pencil full body drawing and we added his favourite toy to the portrait as well. Pastels is a new medium for me really and this time for Billie's portrait her owner wanted a pastel portrait with the soft grey background and that sub...
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Artistic License… Lexie Photo vs Drawing

Posted on by Zara Toms
A couple of months ago I finished a pastel portrait of my own Sprocker Lexie. I thought I would share the photo I used as reference for the drawing and show areas where I used some artistic license to make the artwork more to what I had in mind. Lexie's face in the reference was in shadow so that's one thing I altered and added more mid-tones and highlighted details. The light bouncing off the gr...
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Mouse video!

Posted on by Zara Toms
https://youtu.be/RxGgbcSbgyQ Music by bensound Here is the full time lapse video of my recent colour pencil drawing of the cute little Harvest Mouse :). I have some exciting wildlife pieces coming up :D New canvases to try out YAY! Original for sale £45 FREE UK P&PProfessoinally mounted to 6" x 8" to fit a standard size frame.Reference photo: Paul Fine
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Another WIP update :D

Posted on by Zara Toms
More progress made :). Roxy has such a smiley expression <3. Ruby is 14 this year, the old lady of the pack. She is a special girl with the sweetest nature ever. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 3, which has affected her in many ways so we are truly blessed that she is still with us. Roxy is 13 this year. She is a rescue with a strong working ethic. Had a difficult...
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New original! A Cute Mouse :)

Posted on by Zara Toms
** New original colour pencil portrait for sale ** Bargain price of £45 FREE UK P&PDetails belowI haven't had time to work on any wildlife pieces lately. I have been super busy with pet portrait commissions and any spare time I did have I was working on that large painting of my Staffie and Sprocker. But yesterday I felt I needed to get started on a new original piece. Just to add some var...
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Meet Harley <3

Posted on by Zara Toms
This is the second portrait of Harley I have had the privilege of drawing. The first was a graphite which I finished in January. After seeing the graphite piece her family also wanted one in colour but from a different photo. As you know, I LOVE drawing curls. Cockerpoos have lots of these so her portrait was one I got lost in :D. She's now at my framers being mounted so will be soon off to he...
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Trying something new..

Posted on by Zara Toms
I like trialing new art materials and working out what works with my techniques. I have used colour pencils for many years and used to use Zest It to blend. When I had to change my paper choice I found that the Zest It made the new paper quite slippery. I was using Fabriano hot pressed 140lb watercolour paper but something happened during the production where from what I have been told. So I tria...
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New portrait on the easel

Posted on by Zara Toms
There are many aspects about my job that I love. Everyday is slightly different. I get to draw such a variety of breeds and animals. Where I use various mediums for one portrait I could be using graphite and then the other in colour. All of these things really do contribute to just one of the reasons why I feel lucky to call it my job. I have been wanting to start this pastel portrait for mont...
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FREE P&P!

Posted on by Zara Toms
The sun is out and that makes everyone happy! So for the whole of June I am offering FREE UK P&P on all of my limited edition prints! Information on each print can be found on my 'Artwork for Sale' page :). 'Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow' Ref photo: Warren Etherington 'The Hole Hog' 'On the pr-owl'Ref photo: Barn Owl - Craig Maisfield 'Purrfection' Stephanie Swayne @ Wildlife Referen...
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