We were planning to spend 3 weeks in the south of France and I decided to take my pastels with me. After all, how much fun could it be in such a lovely area without a little pastel painting time?!

I was recently contacted by Gaye Sekula, a co-ambassador for South Texas for the Portrait Society of America (PSoA). She asked for my help in setting up a “Face-off” event on behalf of PSoA here in Corpus Christi, Texas.

In Ireland we have a saying: ‘Tus maith, leath na hoibre’ – or, ‘A good start is half the work’. So true in the case of animal art.  Getting a good look at your subject and getting a good reference is often not only half the work, but also half the fun!

I can’t even draw a stick figure.”

Have you ever said that? Have you ever heard someone say it? It’s usually said with a bit of embarrassed cynicism.

I fell in love with pastels from the moment I first saw their lustrous sheen on paper. Being a self-taught artist, I had muddled through prior efforts to paint with watercolours, acrylics, coloured pencils and more.

With a grin I sometimes introduce myself as the mad lady who paints the hill. Roundway Hill near Devizes in Wiltshire and the surrounding fields are my subject as I love to observe them every day.

Isn’t it exciting when you stumble onto something that is totally new?  That is what happened when a colleague and I were developing a series of workshops on creative underpaintings for pastel.  While experimenting and asking “what if?” the technique of “Floating Pastel” was created.

I was first introduced to pastel painting by a friend about 10 years ago when I admired what I thought was an oil painting.

As an animal portrait artist I would like to take you through one of my paintings. I’ll say from the start that this is the way that I approach a portrait, and over time you will find your own way of working