Muppet & Tigger Video

Posted on by Zara Toms
I really do not like throwing things away.. I'm not a hoarder but when it comes to art supplies I have a real issue chucking anything haha. As it's my job I think that's ok - well it's my excuse anyway :). Over the weekend I had to clear some space on my hardrives and I realised there were a few portraits I completed last year that I didn't get round to making videos of. This A3 colour pencil ...
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Meet Cariad <3

Posted on by Zara Toms
Cariad was a surprise gift for my clients mum. Sadly, Cariad passed away shortly after the reference photograph I was asked to used for this piece was taken. Unbelievably she was 22 years old! She had such a young face I honestly thought the photo was taken years previous. There wasn't the ideal level of detail in the reference photograph but it did have a nice level of contrast and her c...
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Photograph tips

Posted on by Zara Toms
I had the absolute pleasure of capturing Stan & Dan. A kind photographer, Jamie at Forever Photogenic, went and took some stunning photographs of them for me to use for the portrait. Having high quality photographs does make such a difference. They do not have to be taken by professionals, most cameras now have excellent cameras and capture the level of detail needed for the portrait...
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Layout designs, choosing backgrounds

Posted on by Zara Toms
For any enquiries, commissions and adjustments when planning portraits I could not work without my photo editing software. For pet portrait commissions I always do numerous layouts so that my clients can choose their favourite and it enables them to see how the finished portrait will look. During this stage anything can be changed. I am often asked if I can change the reference photo. This may...
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Charlie close up

Posted on by Zara Toms
Another of the six lovely dogs on the large acrylic painting I completed a little while ago. Sadly, Charlie is no longer with us. After I had drawn all six of these gorgeous dogs in colour pencils their owner wanted a large canvas painting of them all together. She had one place she wanted the piece to go and wanted a very specific size. This is where I feel very lucky to have a framer who ma...
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Freddie close up..

Posted on by Zara Toms
Working in pastels is fast becoming a favourite medium of mine. I love how they work, layer and the results you can capture. It is still a relatively new medium for me but the option of the various backgrounds definitely gives this medium an edge. I have ordered new camera equipment which I hope will make taking photos easier and more effective. Certain pieces are nightmare to photograph. ...
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Alfie’s final video is up!

Posted on by Zara Toms
Click the thumbnail below to watch the last of this three video series :). I have enjoyed making these videos and trying to help as much as I can. I do have a lot of other artists follow me on social media and often get questions on what supplies I am using, techniques and how I approach certain elements. So I hope this video is useful. I would appreciate a thumbs up on the video and any comme...
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Maisey is 11 today!

Posted on by Zara Toms
🐾💕 Happy 11th Birthday Maisey 💕🐾 This is a day I didn't think we would be able to share with her. My best friend and the best 18th birthday present I could ever have hoped for. The day I picked her up when she was 8 weeks old she taught me from day one what love was. What it meant to be that person who has to make sure you give that furbaby the best possible life ...
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