Jenny Pulford Fine Art - pet and wildlife portraits

I always like to use my skills for presents where I can 🎁
A one off, unique, personal present is always more appreciated; one would hope so anyway.

So whilst I seem to have been busy with everything but drawing I did squeeze in this for my daughter's kindergarten leader

I love a few bright and beautiful summer sunflowers 🌻🌻🌻

😭

Happy from our old boy.
Perhaps apt that today's super good bedtime ended with lots of tears from the 4yr old worrying about Pops dying 😭 so really does love him sooo much. I've promised I'll draw him for her room soon.

There are lots of reasons why I haven't been posting for a while. I'll catch you up on a few in due course. One of which is the 4yr old who I can hear calling again 🙄😴❤️

Sometimes the drawing has to take a back seat as life gets busy. The last month has seen interviews, holidays, training, exam marking preparation (marking starts tonight!) Migraines, allergies to sun screen, and of course looking after a small person, a range of animals and a garden which is both very dry and overgrowing. Throw into the mix broken washing machines etc etc and it just gets a bit crazy!

But making time for for this lovely colourful toucan.

I couldn't believe how smooth the white pastelmatboard was when I got it out the packet, it's amazing!
I also only have half the colours for this rainbow bird as my limited pencil collection is focused on more normal pet colours, but no matter, we can still have some fun and do some learning.

Thanks for nurturing my 'let's give it a try anyway' side.

☔️

Here's the finished memorial portrait of Hugo 😍

Memorial portraits can often be tricky with only older photos to work from. Hugo often sat with his paws crossed, so this had to be the photo to work from, even though it wasn't as high definition as photos tend to be now.
This one was more of a challenge than I expected though as the photo cropped his back end where I could see a bit of one paw and lots of fluff and tail/feet going out of shot. It was confusing and it took three attempts to create something that looked natural and worked for the portrait.
This is where it is super helpful to have good knowledge of dog anatomy (and lots of other photos to look at 😉)

We're enjoying a proper break this week. First stop en route was to drop this, and second was to drop the saddle I'd been reflocking! And then the holiday could begin.

Work in progress Wednesday!
A gorgeous flatty, whose got some lovely blues and purples in his coat.
And what a soppy look! 😍

Jenny Pulford Fine Art - pet and wildlife portraits updated their website address.

A lot of social media would have you believe that us artists love to draw all the time and we create beautiful pieces all of the time.
I'm sure there are some seasoned artists for whom this is true. But we are all human, and I for one hit bumps in the road
The background on this piece just wasn't working, which was a great excuse to buy some extra colours. I can't quite bring myself to have another go, despite having everything I need now.
I know what I'd be saying to anyone else in this position; just get on with it, what's the worst that can happen! So I best take my own advice!

Happy Easter! This time of year is definitely a celebration of new life.
It felt like I really had a day off from life yesterday ☺️ and I'm feeling a bit renewed also.
Volunteered at while this little completed her 5th run in her wellies 😂
Then I managed to convince the tired child to go in the buggy whilst I ran. After fighting my way up the hills I think it might've be about time to find my faithful buggy a new home 😭
We had a lovely pitstop at They'll be at their best in a week or so and we'll head back for some photos to add to those from the last three years 🥰
Rounded of with a lovely roast at my parent's and of course a little bit of chocolate 🍫 yum

I hope you all had an enjoyable Easter time x

Just a shame the dishwasher has packed in today! ☹️

A little paw can leave such a very big imprint on your heart 😻

Really enjoyable little study of Pops' toe beans. His paws are mostly white, but his toe beans are nearly all black 🤷

I still haven't got the right photo of him for a portrait, but for now this is a cute little reminder of evenings on the sofa where I really want to touch those cute paws curled up next to me, but I don't like to wake him.

It was yesterday, and yes I missed it. Sometimes you're just not in the right headspace for this digital world. So today is my 🥰

'srwel' comparison 🤣
Just a little improvement over the years! But I have to hand it to my 7/8yr old self; it is pretty recognisable and despite the poor choice of media I've still blended 3 colours together to try to achieve the overall look.
That's a pretty good understanding of colours, which I have to say serves me well these days. The spelling on the other hand...



Photo ref kind permission Robin Orrow

'I'm Jenny, and I'm a drawing addict'
I feel like I've barely picked up a pencil this last couple of weeks. Some days I don't think about it, and some days I quite like the break, but slowly I feel my mood drop when I've been away from the pencils too long.
They say find a job you love and it won't feel like a job. How true that would be for me if it weren't for everything else running a small business involves.
This last couple of weeks I've been putting my efforts into building my first proper official website ☺️

Finger's crossed it will be going live soon!

When there isn't sun outside this is what you need to brighten your day 😊🌞
Got to grips with the neopastels for the bright r**e field this roe deer is hiding in, and love the result. Already working on a piece to go with it 😃

Photo reference from Robin Orrow

**e

I feel very lucky that I have this colourful little monkey in my life 🥰 I only have the one, but thanks to daddy and childcare I ended up with four gorgeous cards.
I also feel super lucky that my mum is just around the corner from us and we could go visit today.
It was nicer weather than the day of this photo, so we had a treat when the ice-cream van arrived on their street 🍦😊
The treat was allowable after completing the trust10 at blickling this morning, enabled by a morning of daddy time for the little one. He also got brownie points for sorting dinner 😘

Some days I have just had enough of my body causing hassle, and I'm sure I am far from alone on this!
On day 2 of a cold which followed swiftly on the heels of 5 days of migraine. And unable to draw as I can't feel my fingers!
Raynaud's isn't too bad, no pain, but it definitely has a strange effect on mental wellness. Just because something 'isn't too bad' and 'isn't as bad as what other people have to deal with' doesn't mean you shouldn't acknowledge it.

Why do I need CPD when art is about talent and my work already looks good?
Well art isn't just talent, but about making the most of your talent. And just like any other talent/skill, the more you practice the better you get.
Continuing professional development can push you out of your comfort zone and teach you skills and knowledge that you might not have found by yourself. It can fast track your progress and alter the course you were set on.

This gorgeous squirrel is now complete, and makes a lovely pair with the badger. This piece has definitely cemented my enjoyment of working on pastelmat, and the skills I learned working on the Badger.

Photo ref another from fabulous Norfolk photographer Robin Orrow. Squirrel unfortunately no longer a Norfolk native.

😥

A wonderful westie has been on my drawing board this week.
Not quite as well groomed as the ones I've been watching at but just as gorgeous 🥰
In fact this elderly lady doesn't like sitting for photos or having her hair trimmed any more, so I gave her a little trim so we can see those gorgeous eyes.
Our elderly cat isn't very compliant for photos any more either, especially now he is pretty much deaf.
Difficult as it can be I've been thinking ahead and getting plenty of photos whilst I can so I can create that perfect portrait to remember him and to make us smile every time we see it. 😻

😂 but 😂

Just getting through the day here, how about you?
Trying an ice pack on the neck on day 2 of migraine. Drawing takes my mind off it until the tension and pain in my neck get too much.
Spot the 4yr olds drawing on the wall, she was over the moon to see her art up on the wall with mine. (product of a draw-along)
Now to join for her business drop-in before Kindergarten pick up.

'not another 'look how far I've come' post' I hear you cry! 😂
I just couldn't resist this when I found it in an old notebook yesterday. A wonderfully drawn 'mrach hare' from circa 1991 on the left, and 2021 on the right 🥰
The little and I saw a pair of hares on our way to kindergarten this morning
A sight to brighten a dull day 🦘 (yes I know that's a kangaroo but I reckon it is more hare like than a rabbit!)

So it's national wildlife day! 🐪🐯🦁🐻🐨🐼🦝🐗🦓🐊🦥🦘🐘🦏🦒🦦🦅🦜🐧
Too many emojis to choose from, sorry!

I've not got any full pieces of wildlife from outside the UK. But I've just finished this little study. Another courtesy of
Good result given I didn't have all the colours 😍

I have a confession... I think I might like pastelmat after all!
This little guy is what I've been working on in with
I haven't ever used pastelmat and coloured pencils together, I've avoided it because of it being trickier to draw out line art with the level of detail I like, compared to drafting film.
But I love the result and I've already started my next piece on pastelmat!

I'm not sure I'll use it for commissions just yet, although with the ample mane on my next one it is very tempting!

Photo ref: Steve Owen

Soft and fluffy 🥰
Squeezed Monty in as a last minute commission, and I am so glad I did!
I was able to apply some of the skills I'm picking up through and I'm so pleased with the softer feel I've achieved.

I've made time for one extra portrait this month, so if you are looking for a special mother's day gift do get in touch 🎁🎉

We have a winner!
I've tallied up comments and photo likes (making sure not to count people twice!)
The results of the search for my next horse model
with 29 votes ahead of his rival with 27
winning by a nose....

Murphy!
Judith Sharp I'll PM you

Yes I totally missed 'love your pet day' yesterday! And not because I didn't know about it, but because we went for Sunday lunch at my parent's and I left my phone there 🤦‍♀️
An appreciated enforced break from the phone 📱📞
Here's a throwback to this time last year and my first portrait on drafting film of our two guinea pig boars, Chocolate and Humbug 🥰

Wow! look at these beauties 😍
These are the gorgeous horses/ponies that have been nominated to be my next horse model, and I can't wait to get started on one of them.
So who should it be? Please choose your favourite and let me know with a comment ☺️

?

Anyone else spotting the signs of spring? Snowdrops out, Daffodils ready to burst open, and spotted a hare and roe deer on my nursery pick up. 😍
Taking some time to work on technique through and testing out my improved layering skills on this WIP.

Looking forward to getting more done this evening
But first a bit more work on a camel saddle cushion 🐫🐪 (thanks .saddlery for sourcing a lovely piece of leather) and after the first takeaway in a few months courtesy of 🇹🇭

from a gorgeous photo of a roe doe by Norfolk photographer Robin Orrow, with kind permission.

!

WANTED: HORSE TO DRAW
Would you like your horse drawn? with the ability to purchase the portrait when complete, with a hefty 40% discount? (pm for price)

Horses are my biggest love, but I've not drawn one in coloured pencil for over a year!
I'd love another horse portrait to add to my portfolio.

I'm looking for a good quality, in focus photo to work from, with nice lighting. If you think you have a photo that fits the bill (and it is your own photo, or you have permission from the photographer) then please post it in comments.

If you know someone who might be interested in this offer, please share.
If your favourite pet isn't a horse but you would love a portrait please get in touch for prices. I have slots available for mother's day, and could even squeeze in a cute mini portrait for valentines!

And remember to like and follow my page to get details of my upcoming portrait raffle.

Would you like your horse drawn? with the chance to purchase the portrait when complete, with a hefty 40% discount? (pm for price)

It's been 12 months since I started taking this drawing business seriously. I've drawn cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and a range of wildlife.

Horses are my biggest love, yet I've only completed one standard horse portrait this year, and that was in pastel.
I'd love another horse portrait to add to my portfolio.

I'm looking for a good quality, in focus photo to work from, with nice lighting. If you think you have a photo that fits the bill (and it is your own photo, or you have permission from the photographer) then please post it in comments.

If you know someone who might be interested in this offer, please share.

If you don't have a horse but would love a portrait please get in touch for prices, I have slots available for mother's day, and could even squeeze in a cute mini portrait for valentines!
And remember to like and follow my page to get details of my upcoming portrait raffle.

Baby seals are a creamy white, right?
Absolutely not 😂 creams, yellows, browns, purples, greys, blues, all to make this cute little pup look white!

She also looked slightly like a beached whale with no foreground/background, so I thought I best add one. I've only really drawn grass before, so this was interesting! I love the colours and the seal still being the focus, but not 100% satisfied.

Photo with kind permission from Mark Ollett

Wow this fox was a surprise! Obviously I knew I was drawing it, but had no idea of the number of pencils I'd need! 😂

I was a teacher not so many years ago, including some art, so I've been looking at doing some workshops. I

Can I count myself as 'artist' now!?
I thought I wasn't bad in 2020, I thought I wouldn't get as good as all the other artists I looked at.
But I gave it a shot.
I've not been able to put as much time into the business as I hoped. I've only completed 19 pieces, but with each one I've progressed.
If I can progress the marketing as much as the drawing I'll be on to a winner! (Well I might be able to make a living!)

Just look at that tucked in lip 😍
Last Christmas commission to share, the wonderful Cocker spaniel Bella.
Enjoyed absolutely every minute drawing her. Loved the lights and darks, the white markings, and even the typical spaniel ears (made trickier as they were wet in the reference so had to use artistic licence to create them!)
Some lovely blues added into her coat, green grass reflections and glazing with violet grey.

This was my last portrait of 2021, and maybe my first portrait where I feel I'm really starting to get somewhere with my skills!

Another gorgeous Christmas portrait🎄.
The young and super cute
I was so looking forward to getting a German shepherd on the drawing board, and I really enjoyed her, but goodness her colouring was tough.
It was tricky to mix the right amount of black and tan in some areas without just making her look dirty! Some lovely glazing with a range of greys on the black areas.
First time doing any leatherwork for a while, so that was a treat too.

Rosie wasn't as lucky as Wilco the cat, she only got the one portrait. But she did get drawn alongside her cousin 🥰

🐶

Cat with attitude portrait 2!
I've not worked on a portrait with this kind of lighting and focus before. So much detail to capture in the hairs, yet I couldn't let myself get too caught up in the details or it would never be finished 😂

Some lovely lost edges again, and some really quite dark shadows, even on the white areas.

!

The look says it all! A real cat with attitude 😏
This is Wilco, who has the very special honour of having two portraits this Christmas 🥰 (swipe right)
Adored capturing that look, and making sure the markings matched between the two.
Some lovely lost edges on both portraits, and I had to have conviction adding the green reflection on the chin.

Everyone else seems to already be back to full speed in 2022! NOT ME! 😂 Christmas, my daughter's birthday, a chimney taken down, a driveway extension mostly dug (by hand! Thanks to the parents for their help) a new guinea pig home built, trying to pick a school etc etc!
I guess I have been going full speed still, it certainly feels like it! Just not on the business.

Thought I best still start by sharing the Christmas commissions that were secret 🎄🎉
Actually really proud of these and excited to share over the next few days ☺️

!

Happy new year! 🎉🎉
A bit late I know, but I've had a proper break with some much needed family time, and some time to sort some other things!
2021 was a mixed bag. I made the decision at the beginning of the year to see if I could make a business of my drawing, then promptly had to put it on the back burner as my 3yr olds childcare was closed until the end of April!
However, I've completed 19 portraits, continued to improve, got to grips with the basics of Instagram, and most importantly enjoyed my work 😁
I'm looking forward to what 2022 brings 😊🎉

and

Happy 🥰

Here's the original drawing and one of the cards I had printed this year.

I ran out of time to sort printing and selling Christmas cards this year, but maybe next year.

We all know our cats expressions so well, and somehow photos never seem to properly capture it as they seem to change from one moment to the next.
This is Penny, a beautiful girl, who sadly is no longer with us.
I used quite a few reference photos to help with this one (she had different colouring and a different look in every one! 🤦‍♀️😂) And I think I managed to capture that 'look' 🥰



The hail has stopped so I best get out the car and get running 🏃‍♀️!

Distracted face 😂 watching bake off whilst working on Christmas commissions. Always one to cry at not much, even a bake off final. Wondering if I can ever be brave enough to do something amazing like that, something to be proud of.
Then I had a think, looked around, and realised that whilst I'm not yet successful I have been brave this year and I am already doing some stuff I should be proud of (swipe right) ☺️

Best get back to this drawing malarkey! 🖍️😺