Lighting the Way
24 September, 2026
Back in July, mid heatwave, I was drawing this full-on step-by-step for the September Paint & Create Magazine.
All these hot colours on some of the hottest days of the year! The season may have moved on since then, but when I look back at this drawing, despite it's autumn feel, I remember the sticky hours and how soft my pencils were.
It's a really vivid piece, with those Derwent Lightfast doing a great job. Of courses the AmberGold is pretty much everywhere. I've used it to smoosh and glaze.
Paint & Create Magazine goes out to members of the SAA. My tutorial is in the September issue, out this week!
Drawing Light
17 September, 2026
I needed my sweater the other day, so I have now mentally moved on from summer. It may be goodbye to the sweet sunshine, but its HELLO everything Amber Gold! My favourite colour.
I drew this to illustrate for an upcoming Colour Pencil Clinic, part of my monthly series in Leisure Painter & The Artist magazine. The December issue will be about drawing light. There's a lot to take into account when drawing what light does. Especially through leaves.
This is just a little one, but I love it.
Goodbye to Summer
07 September, 2026
Before the final rays of sunshine are but a distant memory, and we (in the UK) are donning our wellies for winter, I wanted to remember the glory that was our summer this year. It was hot, humid and a bit uncomfortable at times, but wasn't it lovely to wake up and not wonder what the weather was doing today.
If you're like me, basically a cat in a sunbeam, then this one is for you. It's a WiP right now, but I think I will finish it today, scan it and make some pretty cards and prints. Also, notice the name on the book!
Colour Matching
23 August, 2026
It's Hampshire Open Studio's week, and I am back at the Hayward Studio in Warsash enjoying a few wonderful chats. In between that I have been drawing...well, technically I was drawing. Because this lil' guy didn't take very long.
The reason I wanted to highlight him is because of the colours. OMG, I absolutely nailed them! The amount of Mauve in there is unbelievable, but viewed as a whole, you can't see it. I made great use of the new Polychromos colours, plus just a few of the common animal colours from the old tin. It's not often that I get the colours so close to the original... because it's not really that important, but woooo, this has me hyped! hahaha
My guy was a freehand sketch that took about 5 minutes straight onto the pastelmat, so he's not an exact copy. Let's call them brothers, shall we. Anyway, take a look at the rest of my gallery.
Back on Black
23 July, 2026
A sudden change of pace today. I drew this furry feline on my favourite Fabriano BlackBlack paper.
I don't often draw much fur these days, so this was a refresher for me, as well as a way to promote a new workshop.
I made the eyes shine way more than the reference. Always love a brilliant green eye.
In case you're interested, I'm running a workshop for this guy before Christmas, so go have a look and book if you want to.
Also, the original is in the shop if you take a liking to it.
Same Subject: Different Medium
16 July, 2026
Ohuhu sent me their new rollerball acrylic gel pens to try, and when I get a new supply, I like to see if I can still create realism. I had to adjust my process to suit the opaque nature of these, but the cell-shading kinda worked, and I think this came out fab!
The pens were a bit too small for this level of colouring though, but they were great for the small details.
I'm tempted to do a YouTube video with each marble done with a different medium...pencils, alcohol markers and....acrylic markers maybe?
Soft Core:Pastel Shades
11 July, 2026
It's still really hot in the studio, and I'm still playing with squashy pencils. This time I have found an excuse to buy a whole lot of marshmallows. Yum!
I had been looking at the Holbein Pastel Shades pencils for ages. They're so cute, and not many other brands have these softer colours. I don't think they'll last a whole lot of years (low lightfast on those pinks, I bet!) but that doesn't always matter, does it, and the pink and blue combo here is *chefs kiss*!
I'll do a breakdown of what I thought about these pencils in a future Blog.
For now though, if you like this, you can buy it.
Soft Core
26 June, 2026
It's been 33degrees in my little corner of the lounge this week, and I thought it would be fun to do something a little different, using pencils I don't often reach for. So, this turned into something really cool, and got me thinking about these softer pencils and how I really enjoy that quality. Is it my heavy hand? Maybe. This was done with Prismacolour (yes, in that heat!) on Strathmore toned tan. The paper is very thin, but it seemed to do well with the pressure I added. Tiny white details added with a white paint-pen.
I'm going to be teaching how I drew this later this year.
Soft Sleek Fur
15 June, 2026
To accompany an in-person workshop, and the online course version I went all-in on preparation.
Sleek short fur is often quite challenging, as it shows the body form and can be super glossy.
In these workshops I'm going to teach how to create deliciously gleaming short fur that properly follows the form, reflects the sun and shines with luminosity.
Find out more here
Italy Lino
30 May, 2026
I went to Italy, and all I made was this lousy linocut!
Hahaha, it's not lousy, it's lovely.
My first holiday on my own, my first art retreat, first time in Tuscany and wow, it was such a great week!
This image is only about of the full version. I really went for it and was so glad I upgraded to some nice professional gouges.
Since coming home, I've bought a few more, as well as a better roller. What I don't have is better inks, but I'll sort that when I get to making a new print.
Eat Me!
6 April, 2026
Only very occasionally does a drawing come out looking better than the photograph!
I keep staring at this one - partly because my mouth is watering so much at the memories of eating this entire bowl of Haribo, but also because I'm so chuffed with it.
The translucency of the gummies is mind boggling, and I know how I did it! Hahaha.
It's one of those that I will be sad to sell, but I can't have it in my house. I'm on a diet.
Have a proper look in the Gallery.
Birthday Art
26 April, 2026
April is my Birthday and this year I was *mumble mumble* years old. So I celebrated with an Arty Party online.
I have done this for the past 2-years, and it is now, I suppose, a thing to run a free drawalong.
This year we drew a sweet ACEO together. Just a little baby with lots of blendy backgrounds and gentle colouring while we relaxed on a Sunday. I ate olives with chopsticks - which may not be the best idea - and I had sparkly balloons and confetti.
The best bit though, through donations, I was able to give £200 to Cancer Research UK.
Thankyou to everyone who joined me.
Same again next year!
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!
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
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?!
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?
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.
This workshop has now happened, but you can purchase the full tutorial in my shop now.
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.