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 beautify 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.
A Very Lucky Cat
19 March 2025
This is Sasha and she's a very lucky cat indeed.
When she was little she was hit by a car that crushed her pelvis and she was miraculously put back together by the TV SuperVet Noel Fitzpatrick. She's fallen out of windows, been stolen by little boys, reported to the RSPCA by old ladies and poisoned by neighbours. All nine lives were thoroughly used, and she loved every one of them.
Now it's my turn to draw her likeness. Trying to capture that haughty, slightly annoyed expression, yet with those eyes you can fall into over and over again. It has been my absolute pleasure to get to know her while creating her memorial portrait.
Sasha is half Ragdoll, half mouser. A wonderful character.
I am open for commissions during 2025. Please get in touch for a no obligation discussion and quote.
Seeing Double...
28 February 2025
Sometimes things go a bit wrong, and when I lost the video footage for this rose the first time, I was just going to start again. Except I didn't. I carried on and did it by myself just because I was enjoying it. So, of course, I had to draw it again for the video!
But this time I love it even more!!
I think this is only the second, or third time I've ever needed to redraw something and the added pressure of filming the entire process was an added dimension that definitely slowed me down. I have a problem with maintaining focus, (I'm working on it) and I get distracted really easily, and having to stop regularly to transfer footage, give my voice a break and just review the progress, actually resulted in a better experience. I'll be recording more often from now on.
You can now purchase the full tutorial in my shop, as well as either of the originals.
I have to draw it again
21 February 2025
This beautiful drawing nearly didn't make it! I started first with a new (to me) black paper, which I liked, but then decided I didn't. Then this one, which is on my favourite Black-Black paper, and I'm recording my progress with full narration because it is a new tutorial...but I corrupt the file and lost over 3 hours of work.
I was going to just scrap this, since I have to start over anyway...but I decide to continue just for the fun of it.
I'm so glad I did! Now I have this gorgeous drawing that I can use for promotion, or sell, (its for sale) and I get to draw it all again again.
I wonder how different the third iteration will be?
What's the focus?
21 January 2025
EDIT: Summer Garden is now complete and available to purchase.
Who would choose to draw an giant floral artwork, where all the flowers are out of focus!?
Me, that's who!
Yep. What you see is one very small part of a much larger colour pencil drawing where the main subject is entirely out of focus. So I have been asking myself, is it a floral or is it not? The whole thing is an image of flowers behind a window covered in water droplets. Think rainy English summers, and you'll be there.
While sat for hours just blending and pushing from one colour to another, I can't help but wonder whether its the rain that is the star of this show? Only time will tell, I suppose. And maybe I'll just leave that up to the viewer to decide. But for now, I'm still working my way through, adding the raindrops, blending the background, and hoping it looks okay in the end.
Bonny Snowdon Academy
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.
Merry Christmas
&
Happy New Year
30 December 2024
What year that was!
I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for having had such a busy, fun and happy year. After I returned home to the UK in January, I had Christmas with my family, and catch-ups with my friends, and yes, it was hard to be home without my husband, but I knew I had to remain positive about the future, busy in the present, and grateful for the past.
And that's how I carried on.
I put myself out there. Did things I've never done before. Made new friends. Saw my favourite painting ever! Did in-person workshops and video tutorials, and started a magazine column, and got a book published (only a little one) I created new art, with new supplies, had arty-farty-afties, got very sick with shingles, and even tried to have a cat (don't ask!).
It's not often that a year surprises me, but 2024 certainly gave me hope and put a big smile on my face, in spite of all those firsts I had without my beloved George to cheer me on.
So I say to you, THANKYOU, for being part of this incredible year. THANKYOU for buying my art, or coming to my workshops, or talking to me at the Open Studios, or just liking and commenting on my socials. However we interacted, I thankyou.
With lots of love, and hope and positivity for 2025.
Helen
xx
Slowing Down
3 November 2024
After moving home in late August, then a family holiday in September, I haven't had a great deal of time for my own art. I have been busy with tutorials, videos, workshops, commissions, magazine articles and columns for the past two months though - and it finally caught up with me this week in the form of a nasty case of shingles! Not nice, believe me.
It's the funny thing about being a freelance artist, you don't get all that much time to create art for yourself. Taking on commissions for others, be it portraits or providing articles and other fun things, is that if you do tooooooooo much of it and neglect your personal need for expression, you can become a little stifled, and run down.
So, once I'm feeling better, I will take stock of my workload, schedule myself some important me-time for creativity, and hopefully that'll help.
If you're reading this and nodding, go and doodle in a sketchbook right now!
Winnall Moors Peacock
27 August 2024
Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, I was drawing this beauty live and in person at the Hayward Studio in Warsash, as part of the Hampshire Open Studio event. This was so much fun to draw in public. I wasn't worried at all, and it was great to be able to really showcase how colour pencils can create such beautiful realism. Lots of people asked me lots of questions - the most intimidating of which was a very well informed 9year old who wanted to know about the colour of bounced light into shadows. I did my best to answer her!
Drawn on a more textured watercolour paper than I usually go for, and Derwent Chromaflow pencils, my go-to-pencils when I'm out and about, the butterfly emerged slowly over the three days. I finished it at home, and now it's winging its way to its new owner (winging it...Ha!)
Too early?
1 August 2024
I admit, it is a bit on the early side for anything festive. Lets get spooky season out the way first shall we!
Unfortunately, my motivation got the better of me and I just HAD to draw this berry merry artwork in all its frosty glory.
I hadn't planned to cram in a drawing before the Hampshire Open Studios began, it just happened, and I got this finished and framed and printed into Christmas Cards and prints too! I think the frame looks so good. I did a good job with that.
The original drawing, prints and cards are for sale in my shop now.
Using all 150 colours
9 June 2024
When 150 Chromaflow plop onto your doormat what do you do? I make a deal to use all 150 colours in one illustration!
This was actually so much fun to do. I spent ages wondering what multi-coloured things I could draw, like sweets and food and...sweets hahaha, but I kept coming back to an image of hundreds of multi-coloured little goldfish. It was probably AI, but as a stepping off point it gave me inspiration. I used loads of different references for different fish shapes, and then went absolutely ham with the colouring.
I have added this fantastic watery background that really accentuates all the colours. Now its a complete illustration I have uploaded it to my website and am offering it for beautiful sale.
A boy and his bear
27 May 2024
It was my honour to create this portrait in honour of Atticus' birthday this month.
Atticus passed away some years ago, but he is still loved and thought of every day. He loved his bear, Bouf so much. They were inseparable. The detail of the bandage on Bouf's arm is a beautiful representation of their bond.
I chose to create this portrait on rising museum board, a first for me for a commission. I know this surface performs really well for skin textures, and is robust enough to withstand the journey to the US.
I hope you like him too.
If you've been thinking about getting a special portrait for yourself, or someone else, then get in touch with me and I can talk you through all the options.
Wee Wee Wee!
17 May 2024
I had the absolute pleasure of drawing the happiest little piggie on the planet this month.
Archie, as those who joined me on a livestream named him, is just a little one on 8x10inch paper, but he certainly punches above his weight. Me and everyone watching him emerge on the page fell in love with his cheeky smile. The reference I was following wasn't so cute, but that little turn-up at the side of his mouth really compliments his jaunty little jog.
I could've left it like this, but if you pop over to the gallery, you can see the grassy meadow background filled with dandelions!
And if you like what you see there, you can purchase your very own Archie as either a print, or a greeting card.
Cyprus Streetdog
20 April 2024
One of the first commissioned art works this year can now be shared, meet Benny, the rescued streetdog from Cyprus.
Benny has been in his forever home since February last year, and while he is only 2 years old (probably) those soulful eyes of his suggest to me that he's seen plenty to be getting on with. He's still a little aloof, but is just starting to open up and enjoys the occasional cuddle on the sofa. I think he's so lovable, and he was a pleasure to draw.
He was professionally framed, and I wanted you to see that we went for a grey board with a black core. This worked out beatifully and really complimented his grey mottled colouring.
Why not have a look at him in full in my gallery.
Making my own Sunshine
03 April 2024
Okay, so confession time. I really wasn't sure I liked this one at the start, halfway through or towards the end. It wasn't until the central section went in, and there was some variation to the tones and some much needed interest, did I decide it was okay.
I did post it on my socials, and...well...I think everyone there loved it!
More delightful colour from the Derwent Pastels. I can definitely say that I am thoroughly enjoying my exploration into this medium. I have so many ideas for more florals (you know I love my flowers!) and to top it off, I went and purchased some proper pastels second-hand, to get me started on some of those ideas. Not sure if it'll work, or if I'll like them, but if this piece is anything to go by, I shouldn't make my mind up until I'm finished!
This one is up for sale in my shop if you would be interested.
Drawing Water
27 March 2024
I have always wanted to try drawing this kind of water. It was much like piecing together a jigsaw of shapes and colours. I started with the darkest shapes, mapping in where they needed to go, whilst paying attention to the basic flow of the undulation. I then added those little pops of orange and red around the dark shapes. After that it was all about blending and creating those soft transitions and keeping the shapes in check. I'm really interested in drawing, or maybe painting another, but bigger and on better paper.
Its a bird and a flower!
16 March 2024
As a Derwent Ambassador Artist, sometimes I am gifted products to try, which I appreciate very much. After falling slightly in love with pastel pencils back in December in Cebu (I took my Carbothello pencils with me) the team at Derwent sent me theirs to compare.
Okay, I'm probably more than a little bit biased, but these blew me away. Carbothellos were a bit scratchy, but these were really not. There was limited dust (cos I know that's an issue for some...and it tickles my throat a bit too) and I found them to smell nice as well. Bonus!
I couldn't decide what I wanted to draw, and my Facebook friends suggested birds or flowers. So here, I give you the Parrot Tulip. It's an actual thing! The colours I've used were not from the reference. Something I've not done much of is use my own colours, and I'm so glad that I did. The reference (Unsplash) was just a single maroon colour. This is way more fun!
I can't keep it. So it's available in the shop. I've also made cards which are probably my new faves!
Visit the shop when you get a minute, there's loads of things in there now.
Or click this little button for luck.
Bunny Love
14 February 2024
February is the month of love, and relationships and all things heart-shaped. It's also the lead-in to Easter, which is bunny-shaped or egg-centric in all things. So here we go, a bunny love triangle for Easter.
Beginning with Grey Strut, he's the bun next door, the trusty friend to Shy Girl, his love since he was a hairless bean. Shy Girl is warm but fussy, forever worried about how she looks, which is how she caught the attention of the Black Bun from across the tracks. Dark and dangerous, he has seen Shy Girl, and will make a move soon. Will she want the newcomer, or will she h-opt for the reliable bun next door. Will Grey strut have to fight for his love?
Who knows.
Obviously I had far too much fun with this. The originals all sold and ended up in Scotland together, so maybe they're happy as a threesome.
I have turned them into beautiful prints and greeting cards for your delight. Visit the shop or click the button below to be taken straight there.
Art Growth Update
1 February 2024
I did it! The whole month of prompts with Acrylic Gouache!
It was so much fun to work through each word, from the internal thought process, to the scribbles in my sketchbook, to the painting. Some were quickies, some much much longer. All were enjoyable.
The great thing about doing a prompt list in one medium, is the growth! I am so much more confident with this medium now. I feel I know its capabilities, as well as my own...though I stull push those.
I've gone on to start the February list too.
Art Growth Prompts
06 January 2024
I have been having such a fun experience getting to know my Holbein Acrylic Gouache paints these past few days.
I'm following along with a very laid-back set of prompts by @Ammyg_art, and this one is a particular favourite of the one's I've painted so far.
The Holbein Gouache is really vibrant, and super easy to use. I really enjoy the layering, and now that I have a stay-wet pallette, the paint doesn't dry on me in this hot weather [in the Philippines].
Have you tried gouache? The traditional paint reactivates the lower layers, making blending easy but also tricky...whereas this is arylic so doesn't have that capability. It is both helpful and sometimes not!
Getting soft on Pastels
23 December 2023
It's the same week, and I've done another pastel piece. This time the Hummingbird is full of amazing bright colours.
I think this is my favourite so far.
I used just a few colours, but have layered them to create the iridescence of the feathers.
Plus, of course a black pan pastel for the base.
Again, this one is for sale!
Materials: Pan Pastels, Pastel Pencils. A4.
Art Therapy
18 December 2023
This beautiful jewelled Anna's Hummingbird helped me get through a really difficult day.
My husband passed away, and the day before I drew this was his funeral. I had felt no inclination to draw or sketch anything for a month until this day, and then I just knew I had to create something.
Hummingbirds seem to represent many things, though I didn't choose it because of any symbolism. I simply thought George would like the picture, and so I drew it for him.
It felt good.
This is the second of @Lux_opus_photography references. I love her work and the edits she uses to create these beautiful images.
This is for sale in my shop now.
Freddo
19 November 2023
I'm medium hopping again (literally hopping!) into Pastels and Pan Pastels.
I bought the pan pastels at the start of the year, and it took me a long while to feel in the mood to give them a go. I'm not usually one for the mess of pastels, so using the little sponge spatula thingies was actually pretty fun. I mapped out my darks and lights with the set of grey toned pan pastels, then added details with some pastel pencils.
The reference photo is from a photographer I found during my first couple of days on Threads. @lux_opus_photography. Louise's edits are really interesting, with this dark, moody, contrasty style. I don't know how it's done, but I love how it looks. I'll be doing a few more I'm sure.
Freddo is for sale if you're interested. Please visit my shop, or click the button.
His name is Steve!
21 October 2023
His name is Steve because I asked 'can you name the bird' and one bright spark said 'Steve' and it stuck!
Steve is a Firecrest. A feisty little bird that resembles the more common Goldcrest, except the orange flash is more red than yellow. He was photographed in Winchester by an exceptional local photographer, Sheila Ann Williams. Sheila graciously allowed me to use her image as my reference.
I haven't drawn many birds before. The feathers always worried me, and I haven't really drawn such a complex and green background like this. I am thrilled with the result, and I love the way the high-focus foreground works with the background fuzziness. And those little pops of red in the berries are *chefs kiss!*
I think this is a gorgeous little drawing that deserves to be up on the wall somewhere and admired.
Materials used: Polychromos on Derwent Lightfast paper. 10x10"
"I think you've mastered Orange!"
14 September 2023
It took me a while to get in the right frame of mind to draw something proper, i.e: not in my sketchbook, I don't know why. Let's blame the heat, but at last I have a proper drawing with proper pencils and proper paper!
I was a bit out of practice at first, but I soon felt the old muscle memories doing their thing. To say I love this is a bit of an understatement. I think it might be my favourite floral to date. Definitely going to frame this one.
Someone on Instagram said 'I think you've mastered orange now...everything in your feed is orange!" Hahah, yes, I can see that, and I will try to do some other colours from now on.
Materials used were Derwent Lightfast pencils and paper.
Was meant to be a sketch!
12 August 2023
What was meant to be a little thing turned into a 3-day big thing, and I love it!
I learned so much about the three main colours here. Magenta, blue and yellow. Obviously I used way more pencils than just 3, but by the end I had got it down to maybe 5 or 6. I've finished it off with some white pen for some of the poppy highlights. It's in my sketchbook, so not the surface I'd use for a proper finished drawing, but that's okay. I may well do this again, but bigger!
I've used Derwent Lightfast pencils, Derwent blender pens (on the background) and I'm working in my Hahnemuhle watercolour sketchbook.
A New Perspective
8 August 2023
No first page jitters for me. I was straight in with a hand drawn sketch, and into the paint soon as I could.
I wanted to give my sketchbook a kind of theme this time, and that's what the little message means. "A sense of peace to draw" After the hectic schedule we had in July, I'm all about chillin out
On the subject of chillin...I have now left the UK and am now living in the Philippines. I painted this while on the veranda in 38 degree heat 3/10 don't recommend
A Star is Drawn
20 May 2023
The beautiful Seren (meaning Star in Welsh) in her field of daisies is now complete. It's a beautiful expression of light and shade, distance and focus, I learned so much.
As personal projects go, this one is my absolute favourite. It was scary to just wing-it all the way through, and I REALLY didn't enjoy the grass, but sometimes you just gotta go for it with everything you have. I'll write a blog of my experience with this piece soon. Essentially it's an excellent example of what riding the edge of failure can do for your skills, and confidence.
I hope you like it!
Creative Swatching
10 April 2023
Had so much fun creating my swatches for my new 100 Inktense Pencils.
Is swatching a thing only artists can appreciate? I don't know, but I do know that all my swatches are going to be like this from now on!
Want to learn how to use Inktense Pencils? Why not join me on Saturday 15th April for an introduction,
The Secret is out!
30 March 2023
I have been holding this one in for many many months, and I am thrilled to finally share this Inktense Illustration with you all.
Created specifically for Derwent's new 100 Inktense Pencil packaging, I have pushed through my comfort zone and out the other side. It's still very much a 'pinch me' moment, and one that I don't know that will ever be repeated (I really hope so!)
I can't wait to see it in shops. Honestly, very proud of the design, very honoured to have been invited to appear on the tin, and very very happy to have had such great feedback on what is, essentially, nothing like my usual style.
You can view the full artwork in my Gallery