Muppet | Work in Progress

Posted on by Zara Toms
While waiting for the next set of photographs for my set of 6 A3 colour pencil portraits I made a start on this portrait of Muppet & Tigger. I know Muppet & Tigger's mum very well. I used to treat her other Beagles when I was a canine hydrotherapist many years ago. I met up with her and took the reference photograph of the both of them .. Trying to get a 14 week old puppy to sit still ...
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Drawing a Horse in Graphite Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
Meet Ludo. He was my first full body horse portrait I was asked to do - and what a beautiful subject I had to draw. The reference photograph was taken at such a great and unique angle it made for a perfect portrait. The bright sunlight made him really shine and the low angle shot meant the darkest shadows were captured. I was so excited when I got to start this portrait. This drawing wa...
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Black Paper & Colour Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
One of my favourite methods of working is colour pencils on black paper. I love the effect it creates and with the right reference subject and photographs can make for some striking portraits. A4 (8.3" x 11.7") Colour Pencil on Black Paper This was the 3rd portrait of Ratchet I have done. The others were A5 (5.8" x 8.3") graphite pencil drawings. This has to be one of my favourite pet port...
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Four Special Furbabies on the easel

Posted on by Zara Toms
'Drew, Delta, Freddie and Sky' A3 (11.7" x 16.5") Colour pencil drawing I had the absolute pleasure of drawing these beautiful dogs. These remarkable police dogs truly are special and what an honour to be asked to draw them. In some cases, if the angles of the photographs are suitable, I can get 4 subjects on an A3 portrait. In some cases this isn't always possible. For multiple subjects ...
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More rain …

Posted on by Zara Toms
I think everyone is sick of the rain now. All it seems to have done since we got back from Scotland is rain. All day, everyday! So the sunshine Sunday made us and my furbabies very happy :). Although today it's returned to awful rain ALL day! The plan when I went to the animals Sunday morning was to tack up Jack and go out for a nice morning hack with Chico in tow. But as you can see from ...
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Oscar – Work in Progress

Posted on by Zara Toms
Oscar is the second out of 6 A3 (11.7" x 16.5") colour pencil portraits I have on my easel at the moment. Another beautiful Spaniel that I have the pleasure of drawing. In the reference photograph, Oscar is wearing a blue coat which hides 90% of his chest. I have used other photographs provided by his owner to add the chest into the drawing. These update photographs are exactly...
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Lilly

Posted on by Zara Toms
Lilly is pretty much done. I always enjoy drawing Spaniels. They always have such emotion and expression in their eyes its always one of my favourite things to draw. Normally, I wouldn't use a photograph like this to show an almost complete portrait. But, as Lilly is the first of 6 A3 colour pencil portraits I plan to photograph them all together. So I shall set up all my lighting ready and ge...
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Drawing Curly Fur in Colour Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
When I first tried colour pencils I didn't have much luck with the medium and never imagined then that it would be the medium I use 90% of the time. When I try a new medium I go all out - maybe not the best idea but I can never just use a few colours. I like to have the whole set :). I guess because the set up and initial material cost is expensive it made me persevere. I had 120 pencils and all ...
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Drawing Curly Fur in Graphite Pencil

Posted on by Zara Toms
When I was asked to draw my first curly coated dog I was keen for the challenge. Looking back after many Poodle, Cockerpoo type dogs I've had the privileged of drawing I didn't realise how much it would improve my technique. It forced me to use new tools and approach the portrait in a slightly different way. Some must haves..This is where I experimented with Sofft Tools for blending and apply...
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Lilly – Work in Progress

Posted on by Zara Toms
Lilly is the first of 6 A3 colour pencils drawings I currently have on my easel. An A3 size is such a nice size for a single subject. There is so much space to fit tons of detail in. I do have an excellent reference photo to work from which makes such a difference. Sadly, Lilly didn't have the best start in life. She had obviously sustained an injury to her eye which was left to become infe...
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