Some good news!:)

I recently heard back from the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Wildlife Artist of the Year 2011 competition and was informed that my peacock piece 'Elegance' has been shortlisted!! So it will be exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London amongst other wildlife artists pieces!:) It really is a privilege and an honour to exhibit this piece alongside many other artist's work from the UK and the world.

In addition to this I have also got a new website too, check it Website.

I have also started a new scratchboard too. This time it is depicting a zebra on an 11x14 Ampersand scratchboard. I have titled it ' The Pioneer' as it is the leading zebra and the one looking for greener pastures. It is still at the ugly stages but I have a lot of work to do on him.:)

In addition to the zebra, I just couldn't stay away from the felines so I decided to revisit a board. My fist ever scratchboard on Ampersand was of a snow leopard. I never quite finished it because something was bothering me about it but then last week I decided to crop it and cut it from an 11x14 to an 8x10. I quite like the new composition I near enough redid the eyes and I am still working on the right eye. I have still got a few more tweaks to do on him. The reference photo is from the talented photographer Tambako the Jaguar from flickr.

'Alone' and 'Evening glow'

Time for another update I think. I would also like to add that I created a facebook page for my artwork. If you are interested this is the link Facebook.

Well I got my tiger piece finished which I entitled 'Alone' and it is 16x20. I really like it and I think I am beginning to break through as an artist. My aim is going to be to try and add some more backgrounds to my pieces but I will also still be doing close ups.

I also got another piece finished the 8x10 cheetah which I started about a month ago. It has two layers of scratching on it, which is much more noticeable up close. I titled this one 'Evening glow'.

I am now starting a zebra with a lot of background in it. I hope that I can pull this one off.

I have not given up with acrylics, I went back to the tiger I started and I am working on it. I think it will be a practice piece. I doubt I will ever be happy with it, so it may not be one of my serious pieces.

First acrylic painting complete!!

I finally completed an acrylic painting which is the 4x4 miniature lion I have been working on.

As I had 4 of these small 4x4 boards in total, I have decided to create a big cat series. It will include the four main big cats, the lion (complete), the tiger, the jaguar and the leopard. However to make it a bit different I think I will be doing a white tiger and a melanistic jaguar. It will allow me to hone my acrylic skills to the point that I will be happy to attempt a larger piece. :)

Scratching and painting!

I finally got some more done on my acrylic lion, my weakness with acrylics definitely has to be colour, specifically getting the right colour and not being to afraid to go too dark or light. I am beginning to realise this because when I compare my scratchboards to my acrylics the one thing that stands out to me is the contrast which  I seem unable to achieve with acrylics. However I am just going to keep on persevering.

As stated earlier I have also started another scratchboard, of a cat which I have never drew in my life. It is a cheetah and it is based off a photographs taken by the talented photographer Tambako the Jaguar from flickr. It is 8x10 and on ampersand. I actually find that starting a scratchboard is easy the middle and the end not so.:)

Tigers, Tigers burning bright!!

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I have finally got some time.:)

I eventually finished off my sumatran tiger scratchboard 14x18 which I decided to title 'A little Closer'. I think as my first proper background piece it was a success!

I have also started another tiger scratchboard which is 16x20. The reference based off one of Niranj Vaidyanathan's great photos. It is a bengal tiger and I am enjoying working on this piece. It too will include some background.

In addition to this I will be starting another two boards with one being a cheetah and the other will be zebra which is quite different to the big cats I am obsessed with. I have not forgotten about my two acrylics but I don't think I will be completing the tiger but I will definitely be finishing the lion some time soon.

This year I have decided to get more serious and hope to get some of my work displayed and a website up and running too. As a UK scratchboard artist which are thin and few I hope that someday I can do my bit in getting scratchboard the recognition it deserves as a fine art medium.

Scratching away!

Again I am sorry for the inactivity.:( Just busy with university.

I have got another update on my scratchboard tiger. It is still looking rough in some areas particularly the branch but I am getting there. Lighting is a key part of this scratchboard because if I get it wrong it won't look like the tiger is coming forward underneath the log. I have added whiskers to one side and have made some progress on the foliage. I really hate taking photos of this piece because some areas are really shiny which causes a lot of glare.

Anyway the update.

I have decided I need to complete this first before I continue on with my other two acrylic pieces. I detest leaving pieces unfinished so they will definitely be completed.:)

Two tigers and a lion!

Sorry for the inactivity, as usual university is taking its toll. I have had some more time to work on my scratchboard and acrylic tiger and have some updates!:)


I am just scratching away with my tiger and have put in the base scratches on the other side of the face. A lot of toning and defining of facial structures is still required. I have also started adding in some foliage too. I am still looking for some title suggestions too so all help is appreciated.

With my acrylic tiger  I just decided to block everything in. I have started some of the final detailing on the left side of the face, the orange fur beneath the eye. I also need to learn how to stop overworking a piece which I think is one of my main weaknesses with acrylics.

Yip I have also started another piece which is also another big cat. This time it is the lion with the reference from Mike Seamons from flickr. I have realised that I am one of those artists that like to have a few pieces on the go because then I don't get bored and the inspiration sticks with me then.:) This piece is showing at its original size. I decided to really challenge myself with acrylics and decided to do a close up piece of a lion which is only 10 cm X 10 cm. As you can see the underpainting is complete and I have completed one eye too. This is the most difficult eye I have ever done due to the size. Closer to its completion I will show a size comparison with a penny. :)

I won't have any more updates for a little while because I have a lot of uni work and exams but I will update when I have made some progress.:)

Another Tiger!!:D

Alongside my scratchboard tiger I have decided to start an acrylic tiger piece. I do a lot of big cats because these felines hold a special place in my heart!

This will be a second serious attempt at acrylics and this crop is quite unconventional. It will be based off one of my own shots I took and many people either love or hate the crop due to numerous reasons. I personally love it.:)

It is titled ' A close encounter ' as it is quite an intimate piece as if the tiger has came extremely close to the viewer.

At the minute I do not feel as if I have a method to how I paint, but one thing is for sure I prefer to do a bit at a time instead of blocking the whole piece in.

Peacock finished and a new tiger!

So I finally got the peacock finished. I am happy with it and has been my biggest project yet!

In addition to this I have started a new piece including a tiger. I have decided that it is time for me to become more serious with my artwork and even though I am 19 I want to get my name known.

Therefore this piece will include a moderate amount of background with a tree and foliage and is based off my own reference shot. (This is the sumatran tiger piece I have been dying to do)

I am trying to tackle different textures and I am finding it difficult. As you can see I have just jumped from different areas so that I can get a feel for the composition.

Remember the peacock?

Remember the peacock I was working on?

Well I have finally got back round to it and I thought I should post an update. It is getting insanely close to the finish and I cannot wait for it. I have even got a nice ivory framed picked out for it.

The update.

Some areas that may look finished still need some tweaking left. I have signed in advance as I feel that if do this I will definitely get the piece finished.:)

It is been a while...

For those who follow my blog I am really sorry that I have been so inactive. I have just not really had time to do art and in addition to this being in an art slump really has an effect on your creativity and productivity. 

However I did get one piece finished my amur leopard scratchboard. The peacock is close to the finish but I left my acrylic snow leopard as a study piece and also a learner piece.

This is the leopard which I titled 'Windows to the Soul'

One down 3 to go!:)

I finally finished my Asiatic lion piece!! I am happy with it and I like the mane!

This is a gift for my friend so I hope they like it!:)

'The Future of the Gir'

I have done some work on the amur leopard. I also better get a move on with the peacock!

Snow Leopard.

Another update on the acrylic snow leopard. It is getting real close to the finish everything above the nose is almost finished! I have just put on layer upon layer and a few glazes.

I am already thinking of my next acrylic! It is quite addictive and I like the fact that I can switch mediums when I get bored of one.:)

Lion and Leopard.

Finally I have an update on the lion! I am pleased with how it is coming along. This picture is quite rubbish I will try to get a better one once the piece is completed.

I am really looking forward to getting this completed. Just some mane and whiskers to go.:)


I have another update on the snow leopard too! The underpainting is completed and I have started detailing the eye. I believe that the eyes of a piece have to be captured correctly in order for the artwork to be a success. Therefore 9 times out of 10 I start with the eyes as I would rather know if the painting is a flop before I have put too much time into it.:)

So far I can see a vast difference between my tiger and the snow leopard. It is quite surprising the changes made from using professional materials.

I have created the eye using a lot of glazes and I still have a little left to do before I start detailing the fur. I use the acrylics at a milky consistency.

Underpainting!!

I have finally gotten round to doing some under painting on the snow leopard. I am making it more saturated on purpose so that I can build the fur up in layers from the dark below to highlights above. I have still to tackle the eye. I am finding it quite difficult to mix colours correctly. I takes me a few attempts.

The Beginning of 2 and hopefully the completion of 2!

I have abandoned the tiger as I really just saw it as a practice (learning) piece. I finally got my delivery of the professional acrylics and from now on I will be using the golden fluid brand of acrylic and ampersand gessoboard. I have spoke to an amazing artist who does outstanding work with acrylics and she has given me loads of help and advice! :) I am extremely lucky to be in contact with her.

I can't remember if I mentioned but all of my scratchboards works are done on the Ampersand brand. (The best!!)

The title of this post says it all really. I am hoping to finish two scratchboard pieces the Asiatic Lion and the Peacock. I have an update on the peacock and have just started doing the iconic feathers and I am trying to finish the stripy white and black feathers am not sure what they are called. I have found a new place to take pictures of my works, so I don't need to use photoshop to get rid of glare!

One of the new pieces I have started is a close up of an Amur Leopard. The reference photo is my own and was taken at Edinburgh zoo. The piece is only 5x7. This is the piece which I will be using to see just how far I can push scratchboard! It will not be coloured and will be left black and white. So far I believe that it is my best work!

The whole board:

An extreme close up of the eye much greater in size than in real life:

In addition to the Amur leopard I have started a leopard in acrylic. This time a snow leopard and the reference photo is from the fantastic photographer and friend Tambako the Jaguar from Flickr. This too is a 5x7. I started small since this is my first serious attempt at acrylics. It will be painted with golden acrylics and on ampersand gessoboard. So far I have just strengthened the transfer with a mixture of carbon black and burnt sienna. I will be starting the underpainting soon. Hopefully this will turn out better than the tiger. :)

Painting??

I have another small update on the tiger. I am just experimenting with glazes since this is my first and practice acrylic piece. Therefore I have only started detailing the left eye (our left). I have long ways to go yet!

First Acrylic!

I decided to post my first acrylic. I have not used very good material as I just wanted to get a feel for them first. I have now ordered the proper materials.

This is the first time I have ever used a brush and acrylics and it is on canvas. I have established that I dislike canvas due to the texture as it does not allow for fine details. The inexpensive paints I have are not even permanent they dissolve with water. So I am really looking forward to my new acrylic supplies arriving.

The reference photo is from the great photographer and artist Cathy Sheeter. I have made it a close up of my favourite animal the tiger.

I have just begun detailing the left eye and the rest is in the ugly underpainting stage. I may or may not finish this because I don't want to put so much effort on cheap materials to get a rubbish result. It is 9x5 inches.

And some green!

I have added some more colour to the peacock and I like how it is turning out. The greens have some blues and yellows in them and I have started scratching the iconic peacock feathers.

I have also started my first acrylic and will post here if it turns out.

I know I said there was not going to be any scratchboard in a while but I had an urge to do a 5x7 so I will post that too when finished. I like the idea of working on different pieces to retain a sense of freshness.

Feeling a little blue!

Another update on the peacock.

I am looking forward to getting this finished soon!