IN THE NEWS
Recent Updates & Headlines
COMMISSION ME NOW FOR CHRISTMAS
June 20, 2021
Christmas is coming!
I know, I know, we haven't even had our proper summer yet. Forgive me for thinking ahead but I need to get myself organised or I'll end up in a right pickle!
I am happy to chat through everything before you commit. I won't ask for any money until we're all agreed, and the deposit is 100%* refundable right up to the day I start work. Click the button to find out more, or get in touch.
You can find me on social media, Instagram and Facebook by clicking on the icons at the bottom of the page. Send me a DM, or use the contact form here. I'll get back to you nice and quick!
BACKLIT SNOWDROPS - DERWENT BLOG
17 May, 2021
I've only done an actual painting underpainting once before, so here's a little step-by-step on how to create these gloriously backlit spring snowdrops.
I used Derwent Inktense to create the black background, and the underlayers for the colour, and Derwent Procolour pencils over the top.
Click on the link to see the mini-tutorial.
PROUDLY WORKING WITH DERWENT ART
08 May, 2021
It's official! I am thrilled to have been invited to become an Artist Ambassador for this fantastic brand.
You know that feeling when you find a brand that just seems to gel with the way you work? Well, that's me and Derwent. I have been using their pastel pencils and pencils since I was in my teens, cramming for art exams and preparing my university portfolio. I still have some of those original pencils in my collection.
Though my collection may now be ten times the size, the vast majority of it is Derwent already. I love their products, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to work my way through their entire range of pencils, paints, papers and accessories :-D
DERWENT BLOG - LIGHTFAST REVIEW ON FILM
23 April, 2021
I was honoured to be asked back to the Derwent Blog to give my review of their Lightfast pencils on drafting film.
Click the link below to find out what I thought.
TURNING THE TIDE - DERWENT BLOG
12 February, 2021
Derwent Art kindly sent me their Inktense Studio Pan set to try out. 24 colours of intense saturation and brilliant layerability...is that a word...it is now!
The scene is right out of my comfort zone, but I was so pleased with the outcome. If I can do it, anyone can!
Have a read of my step-by-step on the blog and do let me know if you give the pans a go yourself. You won't regret it.
SAA PAINT MAGAZINE ARTICLE
'ARTISTIC DISTRACTIONS'
March 1, 2021
It was definitely a tough year in 2020, and I have been reading a little about how art has been so popular and helping people get through it. I wrote this little '5 things' article as a way to show some of the ways I use art in my life. In particular, how I took my drawing supplies into hospital with me and drew the 'Fallen' piece, as I sat with my husband while he underwent chemotherapy.
It was such a great stress reliever, and I wanted to share that, and other ideas with everyone. There's nothing new in what I'm saying, you all probably know about colouring books, and sketch prompts etc, but its a fun little read.
Not a member of the SAA? Click the link to join and enjoy the benefits of this fabulous society.
SHOP COMING IN 2021
December 30, 2020
During the year I have been experimenting with making my own quality art prints and greeting cards. They're a much more affordable alternative than originals and gives me a reason to create a wider variety of products in various artistic styles.
I've got to the stage where I think I am happy with the printer, the papers and the quality, now I just need a store to sell them from.
An initial selection of original artwork is available now. You still need to contact me to purchase though. Sorry about that!
DERWENT ART BLOG
December 1, 2020
For December, I was lucky enough to be asked to contribute a 'how I made this' to the official Derwent Blog.
Although I had already finished the piece, and didn't have the right photographs of my work in progress to make a full tutorial, I did have enough to show the main elements and talk about how I created this 'seasonally scented' piece, which was drawn with Derwent Lightfast pencils.
The Blog is still there. Follow the link below.
FALLEN WINS TOP ART PRIZE
SAA ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2020
AMATEUR LANDSCAPES AND WOODLAND CATEGORY
September 10, 2020
I was so very surprised, and happy to receive an email this week informing me that my autumnal coloured pencil artwork has won the category prize in this year's SAA Artist of the Year Competition.
There were almost five thousand entries (not all to this category) and I've been and had a look and marvelled at so many beautiful creations. You should take a look too.
https://community.saa.co.uk/challenges/artists-of-the-year-2020/
This piece was really challenging. It was started, and finished, on a wobbly hospital table where my pencils rolled around, and where my husband was having his chemo. I am so grateful to the nurses who looked after us for all those months in 2019.
The original is one of my absolute favourites and hangs in my hall gallery at home.
FLYING SAUCERS WIN UKCPS PRIZE
Aug 1, 2020
I am thrilled to announce that my Flying Saucers Invasion drawing has won the UK Coloured Pencil Society (UKCPS) Monthly Theme Competition for August.
If you are a member on their Facebook Page you will see this (or a cropped version at least) as their Group Banner for the whole of August.
I also win bragging rights, and get the pleasure of choosing the next winner for the September banner.
In other UKCPS related news, I put together the Society's article in the September edition of Ann Kullberg's Color Magazine. Go check it out and see what the Society (and I) have been getting up to!
INTERVIEW WITH CARRIE LEWIS - CP MAGIC MAGAZINE
June 1, 2020
So I guess I'm famous now, right?!
My first interview, where I talk about how I got started after leaving work in 2017, my working environment, and my plans for the future.
Also, there is a short tutorial on how to draw my red octopus on black paper. It is my first attempt at a tutorial, so please forgive me the lack of helpful hints. I will do better next time.
Click on the picture link to take you to the magazine.
OM NOM NOM WINS
UKCPS BEST PICTURE AWARD
INSIDE THE LINES EXHIBITION 2019
December 01, 2019
I am shocked and thrilled to have been awarded this year's Best Picture prize for my drawing "Om nom nom". The judges awarded this for, "challenge of the subject matter and impressive technical competence."
This drawing represents a year of progress and improvement for me, and the award is a wonderful and uplifting conclusion that I could never have predicted. I am so honored to have been chosen from the long list of fantastic entries.
You can see the full exhibition on the UKCPS website
https://ukcps.org.uk/index.php/online-2019-gallery
I won bragging rights, and £200, which I have spent already.