A Holiday from Pet Portraits

May 13, 2021

Horse Portrait in Coloured Pencil

Holiday Time for Sarah’s Pet Portraits.

Well nearly! Welcome to the latest Sarah’s pet portraits blog. Many of you know I have been struggling with my mental health quite a lot recently. I have battled anxiety and depression for many years. I think, like many others, all the lockdowns and everything that has happened in the last 18 months has taken it’s toll on everyone in one way or another. I amd very lucky I have an amzing support network, from my GP to my best friend. They have kept my head above water. Just. After much persuasion I have finally decided to listen to my GP and take some time off. My first holiday for two years. There will be limited slots for pet portraits over the coming months just to make sure I have plenty rest and relaxation. Don’t worry I will still be accepting some pet portrait commissions and I will be back up to full speed for any portraits that are needed for Christmas! That is always my busiest time and I want to make sure I am 100% fit for it. If anyone is interested I am documenting living with mental health with my camera over on Instagram. I want to raise awareness of this invisible illness and hopefully encoruage people to speak about their mental health. We need to work on reducing the stigma and increase the support for everyone who is suffering. I’d love it if you would give me a follow Mental Health Through the Lens Back to my recent pet portraits as I am sure you would like to see what I have been up to even thought it has been a little slower than usual.  

Pet Portraits in Coloured Pencil.

Horse Portrait in Coloured Pencil

Unltimately pastel pet portraits are my most asked for type of pet painting, however since moving into the world of coloured pencils they are beginning to pick up interest.

There have been a few to complete recently and here are a couple of my favourites. The first up has been a very patient client who wanted a portrait of her pony Jelly. I love the name! Jelly’s portrait is 10×8 inches and I completed it on Fabriano Artistico HP paper. It is a watercolour paper, but also loved by coloured pencil artists worldwide. I do love this paper but I don’t think I am set on using it yet solely for my coloured pencil portraits yet.

Double cat pet portrait in coloured pencil

Above is the gorgeous Trixie and Lylie. Tabby cat sisters I had the absolute pleasure to draw in coloured pencil. Being the first cat and tabby cats at that I have drawn in coloured pencils I found it tricky, but also a lot of fun as I love a challenge!

The reference for their portrait was also great. It looks like they have taken a selfie and it makes me chuckle every time.

You can view previous colour pencil work the gallery

More Than Just Pet Portraits.

I guess you could say the arty gene runs strong through our family. My Mum was a very talented asrtist and although she didn’t paint pet portraits she loved drawing flowers and things she could find around her. My Dad, despite being very academic, but not feeling so generous with those genes with me, he has a wondeful eye for photography. As well as teaching physics, chemistry and maths he taught photography. I have got the bug for taking photos from him.. The trouble has come from the fact I only own a big DLSR and I can’t be bothered to lug all the lenses around or inevitably I don’t have the right one with me. With this in mind I decided to treat myself to a bridge camera. I bought the Panasonic Lumix FZ82. I am so pleased with it. I have had a little play with it and I am in love with it. I am going to share my non pet portrait related art here in this blog over the coming week.