D.I.S.C.O !
28 March 2026
Occasionally, my sister sends me an image that she likes with a hint of 'I bet you can't draw that' !
Of course, I'm not one to back down, so invariably I give it a try.
To date, all the drawings I've done for her have been absolutely epic, and this one, although not in my usual colour pencils, is no different.
I am still exploring alcohol markers, and still very much loving them, which is good news since I spent a lot of money on the full set from OHUHU.
I am starting to get a lot of requests to do a tutorial with them, and I think I will, but not till I feel more confident and less of a noob!
This one is now complete and Prints are available!
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Improving Realism
18 March 2026
Here's a sneaky peeky at the June Colour Pencil Clinic subject in Leisure Painter & The Artist magazine.
This month I'm giving some helpful guidance on improving realism for animals and using this split image to illustrate the differences. There are five key differences here. Can you tell what they are?
Marker Madness
24 February 2026
A peppy little picture in progress!
Whew!, this one is testing me. The markers are great, but boy they sit in the scary phase for ages!
I start each pepper with a really light base, then put in a mid tone to start creating the shapes.... now the thing with markers is you have to blend while they're still damp...so I'm constantly swapping out different colours glazing and blending getting darker and more saturated with each layer.
It takes a long time (still not as long as colour pencils) to make it look right and real...just don't go up too close.
Finished version, in all its madness available to see in the Gallery, and available to purchase.
Commission
25 January 2026
First commission in a while, so I got a bit nervous when I hit the half way point. Y'know that feeling you get when its going great but you think the next part won't be, for some reason Yeah, definitely felt that on this one!
Going to need to buy some replacement pencils...first time in a while...
But it'll be nice to run through my entire inventory and see what I need.
(Edit = no it wont, you hate doing that)
Colourful Hydrangea
15 January 2026
Lots of relaxing fun with these gorgeous pencil blends
About 12 pencils in total, of which the Lemon Lime was particularly useful. So too was the Hot Pink over the top.
I dont think I will use the Chromaflow on 100% cotton hot pressed again, as they struggled just a bit.
I'm going to do this again and film it for a tutorial, because there's a good number of techniques in there And, its beautiful
Derwent Chromaflow on Clairefontaine hot pressed 100%cotton. 5x7"
Purchase available
Floral Rhapsody
5 January 2026
It's time for the next floral in this new 'old' style.
Continuing the 'old masters' vibe, this one is darker, moodier, with lovely soft lighting.
I'm using a white Pan Pastel under my pencil for the brighter spots. This helps keep the colours bright on the mid-tone paper, but also keeps it nice and soft looking.
She's all done now, you can see her in the Gallery
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Free Tutorial
29 December 2025
I've just finished this super cute black paper tutorial as a free gift for my email subscribers.
I had thought it would only be about 2, maybe 2 and a half hours long, but it was nearer 4.
So, sign up to my emails if you want the occasional freebee.
I also put subscriber only voucher codes in my newsletters, so all the more reason to subscribe.
Go back to the homepage and fill in the subscribe form.
Have yourself a Merry one
25 December 2025
Wishing you a very merry Christmas with this cute little illustration.
I have been continuing playing with alcohol markers (I bought 320 earlier this year) and really getting used to them now. This illustration, and another were my cards for this year. Very happy with them.
Kew Reflection
27 December 2025
For the last drawing of the year (maybe) I've been enjoying the alcohol markers once again with this unusual realistic rendering of giant waterlilies at Kew Gardens in London. It takes a little explanation, which is fine. So, if you can't quite work it out, you're looking at the surface of the water with the waterlilies floating, and the huge conservatory roof is reflected in the still water. The only clue that it's water is a very slight ripple in the top left. Can you see it?
This is my third realistic drawing with these, and certainly I'm improving. Only trouble is, the more I learn, the more I realise how much more there is I don't know!
Ain't that always the way?!
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Cyril the Squiril
1 December 2025
Cyril is the star of the show for my 'Cosy Winter Draw-along' workshop that's happening online on 3 January.
I haven't drawn fur in a little while, so getting ahead of myself with this 'practice' piece reminded my muscles how they were supposed to work where fur is concerned.
By the end, I realised three things - Fur is still fun. - He's too big for the workshop. - I need more time.
He took me just under 5 hours, which is too long, so I extended the workshop and will make sure we draw smaller.
He cute tho!
Want to join me online and draw Cyril with me?
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Feelin' Blue
3 November 2025
Members of the Bonny Snowdon Academy had a treat in store with this multi-week Live drawalong!
On Pastelmat, and very tricky with all the small blooms and tangles of stalks, this one had people scratching their heads a bit.
I ended up slowing right down and finishing with a pre-recorded video.
The feedback has been great, and I've seen some amazing versions. So yes, it was a tricky one, but no it wasn't impossible.
Floral Symphony
28 October 2025
Drawn just for fun, I wanted to experiment with a different technique and feel with this one.
From the first few hours I could tell it was going to be different. The textures, the colours, the full-composition just makes for a beautiful piece of art.
I finished it at 2am last night. I was exhausted and parched and my back ached after sitting there for 7 hours - but I wouldn't change a thing! I was in 'flow' and nothing comes close to that feeling...well, maybe waking up and seeing what I'd accomplished.
I'm going to see if I can draw another one in the same style!
Shimmering Alstromeria
24 October 2025
This is one of those that has me beaming from ear to ear. A 'I cant believe I just did that!' kinda moment!
Definitely had to forcibly slow myself down towards the end when I was starting to feel the excitement rise. That's the sign of a good drawing - when the process is known, the pencils are behaving, and the urge to just keep drawing is warming and comfortable and there's a tingling that makes everything sparkle
Okay, maybe not sparkle, but do you know what I mean?
Blossom of the Glass
18 October 2025
Absolutely love, love, love this piece!
Drawn on drafting film specifically for my Realistic Florals on Film workshop starting in November.
It's an intermediate level class running over 3 Sundays. No way could we do all this in one day.
This image has black paper behind the film. I love the way all the darks are darker and the lights seem to glow.
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This workshop has now happened, but there will be an opportunity to purchase a quality recording in the new year.
Cat on Black
10 September 2025
Toying with the idea of creating a cat tutorial on black paper and I drew the fully body, which took longer than I wanted, so I then did another, just the head and that was lovely.
Tutorial ended up being published by Painters Online as part of their 'Start Art - Drawing' in October.
I loved it, so will probably make another and release that myself.
Open Studios 2025
26 August 2025
August is almost over, and I have had another wonderful week at the Hampshire Open Studios.
This year I drew this drenched flower on pastelmat in ten and fifteen minute stretches between visitors. We were super-busy, and thank you to everyone who took the time to ask me about my work.
Paw-trait
08 September 2025
Digby's feet smell of popcorn, apparently!
A rare opportunity to capture the incredible underside of a big dog's paws. This paw-trait (or FEET-trait as I like to call it)was a repeat commission from one of my collectors. It's only a little one, but I think you'll agree it's got so much personality.
Great sense of perspective in this too, with his big head all the way back there looking tiny and out of focus.
I love it! Hope you do too.
If you're interested in a commission like this, why not get in touch.
Alcohol Markers
20 August 2025
I succumbed to the mighty OHUHU marketing train and bought 320 alcohol markers!
Despite being a novice with this medium, I'm not unskilled at drawing realistically, and so for my latest YouTube video I decided to 'practice' in front of the world and see if I could make these markers do what I do with pencils.
This image is a bit of a spoiler, because, yeah, I kind of could.
YouTube is a lot of fun to make videos for. It's a new channel, but if you watch this one, and enjoy seeing me struggle a bit, I'd love you to let me know with a thumbs up, that'd be awesome.
Chrysanthemum Season
15 August 2025
My latest tutorial for the Bonny Snowdon Academy members is possibly my favourite artwork this year.
Coming in at 11 hours, this tutorial is a masterclass in blurry backgrounds on drafting film, and will be available to Ignite members soon.
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If you aren't a member, but you'd be interested in learning something like this with me online, then do sign up for my 'Learning List' emails. You'll be first to hear whenever I drop a new workshop or tutorial.
This 5x7" beauty has been lovingly double mounted, and framed and is for sale at £150. (excl p&p). ​
Stress Free Inktense
2 August 2025
In the midst of feeling particularly unwell this week, I have not felt up to much. It's at times like these when I like to de-stress with some easy art, and reconnect with a supply I haven't used in a while. Inktense pencils are just phenomenal to use. I love the vibrancy of the colours and the versatility of combining the blocks and the pencils together.
For this little Bee Eater, I used the blocks on the background first, then swapped to the pencils. As you can see, I like to use a pallete
I started a YouTube
14 July 2025
This month I have properly begun an art YouTube Channel.
I wanted somewhere to play with more mediums, somewhere to have a little fun with supplies with no expectations.
Subscribe to me if you would like to see more of my arty shenanegans. I love it all, and want to share my processes and results, good or bad, with you.
Summer Arty Festival
14 July 2025
Today is my day to reveal my entry into the Clairefontaine SUMMER ARTY FESTIVAL competition. The theme this year is Summer Break, and I have gone way out of my comfort zone to come up with this retro feeling summer cruise poster.
I was one of 31 artists chosen to participate in the summer arty festival. They kindly sent me a large selection of their papers to try, as well as some Darwi watercolour pencils and colour pencils to use. I have used the Paint-on MISCA paper, which has a wonderful old texture and look.
Although there's a competition, I've really enjoyed seeing all the other artists' different takes on the theme, and its always great to meet new artists and see new styles. We're all winners.
Why not check out the rest of the event on Instagram.
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EDIT = I only went and won the competition! Amazing, and very unexpected. Thanks Clairefontaine!
Fresh and Fragrant
07 July 2025
This month, if you are a member of the SAA, you can find me in their Paint & Create magazine with this bright and sunny mini step-by-step for watercolour pencils. Not my usual medium, but they're really good fun, and I had forgotten how easy they are to use - if you're patient!
This beautiful frangipani image was taken while I was in the Philippines. You can kinda see me in the reflection, hahah.
I think the shadows are what makes this painting so interesting. There's a lot to love with this one.
A Perfect Collab
01 June 2025
I am so excited to be working with one of my favourite illustrators, @Naptrapped.Art this month.
It's been on our to-do-list for a couple of years but we couldn't quite decide how to smash our very different styles together in one drawing. We have come up with this crazy idea to not change anything and be true to our styles and see if it works.
We think it works really well.
Created with Pastel Pencils for a change. The colours are so vibrant, but it's really REALLY difficult not to smudge everything. I'm just a messy worker I guess!
Georgie (aka: Naptrapped Art) has a fantastic, punny, bright and very special style. She's a multi-passionate creative with no fixed medium, but you'll find recurring characters, like this 'SLUMPBEE' and the Inventor Mouse (my personal fave!)
Click the button and go check out her stuff. You won't be disappointed.
Back on Black
10 May 2025
I am very lucky to be working with Bonny Snowdon producing tutorials for her Ignite Academy Members fairly regularly.
This is my second venture, and features the ever-popular Hydrangea. It is not an easy one for the beginners to get to grips with, but it will teach a lot of great skills and pencil control. The best thing about producing tutorials for the Academy is that I can help and encourage so many new artists.
For info, the Ignite membership is only open to new members a few times each year. There's a wait-list, but, I feel, the quantity of tutorials, support and confidence you get is beyond what most similar memberships give. The back-catalogue is immense for starters!
I don't know how long I'll be doing this, but I do make my own tutorials too. Have a look at this recent one, also on black paper!
Birthday Workshop
27 April 2025
What a wonderful couple of hours we had!!
It's become a bit of a tradition that I'll run a little workshop over the internet on my birthday, because I can't think of anything more enjoyable than spending time with fellow arty friends who want to learn something or try something new. It's the best!
This time we worked on the lovely Archie, focussing on creating that piggy pink and coarse hair texture, but also that scary background.
Obviously we couldn't quite do it all in the 2 hours, so I carried on and recorded a full tutorial to show the completion of the whole piece. It's really interesting to see that background go from nothing much, to that wonderful summery background.
You can purchase this for a very reasonable price. Click the download button for more info.
Linoprints
24 March 2025
I have been enjoying the relative simplicity of linoprinting for a few years as a hobby, and I feel like I have turned a corner recently in my skill level - though I haven't made many. But, these are just lovely, and I couldn't be happier with how they printed.
I don't have a fancy press, just some basic gouges, some nice paper and a soup spoon!
I think my favourites, the Reed Warblers on the top, are a great example of how an idea can become art. I knew I wanted to have a reflection and water but wasn't sure how to portray it. I also wanted the reeds to give some idea of depth in the top right, and wasn't sure how I'd do that either. Forgiving myself any and all mistakes, I spent a day cutting and printing over the weekend, and came away with these four beautiful prints...as well as a sore neck and tired eyes!
I've put the few prints for sale in my shop, if any of them appeal.
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Expert Artist
01 January 2025
It has been my pleasure to know Bonny Snowdon almost since we both started posting our art online, and it has been wonderful to see her build her successful colour pencil Academy from scratch. She's a fabulous teacher and mentor.
This year, she has asked me to create some fun, fabulous florals as tutorials for her members, the first of which is this glorious Dahlia on drafting film.
I've upgraded my camera and microphone and got to business back in December, and it has been so rewarding to see all the Dahlia's come to life in the Academy Facebook page. What a treat it has been.
I will be making more throughout the year, as well as making my own detailed and fullly narrated tutorials. Keep an eye on my socials or sign up to my Learning List if you're interested in learning with me outside of the Academy.
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