The Wolf is finished!

Posted on by Zara Toms
I love learning a new medium and pastels are fast becoming something I wouldn't want to work without. They blend so easily creating a really soft look perfect for fur. There is the huge advantage with pastels that you can layer light colours over dark. Something that you can't really do with colour pencils. So using pastels and how I layer is similar to how I use acrylic paints. ** FOR SALE *...
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Third pastel piece!

Posted on by Zara Toms
Pastels are growing on me! I am so happy I have stuck with it and learning how to use them. I'm trying different papers and love them. From my previous posts you may have read that I really struggled with the texture of the pencils on the textured paper. It made me feel the same how nails down a chalk board effects people.. Weird I know! But I am forcing myself to ignore it and this is gradual...
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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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Rhino is finished!

Posted on by Zara Toms
This Rhinoceros drawing was the last of my Christmas commissions for this year! I have always blocked off the week before Christmas for a couple of reasons. 1st..The first is that with all the increased post going out I try to get all of the portraits out the week before to make sure if there is any delay they will still get there in time. Although, this shouldn't be the case as I send out all po...
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Robin.. Finished and SOLD!

Posted on by Zara Toms
Wow.. Within 10 minutes of me putting this finished Robin drawing on my social media it sold! ** SOLD ** This is my second attempt at using pastels and they are really growing on me! I know have another British wildlife subject planned... Black and white, cute and sadly having a hard time at the moment.. The BADGER :D. Cant wait to start it! Reference photograph kindly provided by Albert...
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Robin drawing started!

Posted on by Zara Toms
Ok .. 2 days ago my blog post was mentioning I needed to draw a Robin. I wasn't intending on drawing one this soon but I had a beautiful reference photograph to work from and couldn't resist. I also have a winter themed Robin planned and have just about finished designing a layout from multiple references to create something entirely unique. Reference photograph taken by Albert Horsborough ...
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** NEW BLACK PAPER DRAWING **

Posted on by Zara Toms
Fresh off the easel is this Barn Owl drawn in colour pencils on black paper. I say it each time but I LOVE working using this technique. I really like the effect it creates. Like the animal is coming out of the shadows. Capturing movement..One of my favourite things to draw is movement. And I haven't drawn a flying animal yet so thought this would make a nice change. Combine that with black paper...
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Robin on my to paint list!

Posted on by Zara Toms
I snapped this photograph of this little guy a couple of years ago. He was a regular visitor and had no fear of us at all. Often venturing within inches of us seeing what he could find. These are fascinating little birds and this confidence around people is a trait they are known for. Often found to actually come and take food straight from your hand! I have had a few requests to paint one of ...
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Harry’s Full Time Lapse

Posted on by Zara Toms
Here is the full time lapse video of Harry's portrait. One of my favourite drawings to date. I think it was his colour and those eyes <3. Capturing that sweet, head tilt expression was a real pleasure. I really do feel lucky to be asked to capture so many beautiful furbabies. https://youtu.be/JgF2VA_AU2I Music kindly provided by bensound. com My YouTube channel is gradually growing :)
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