Just before Christmas I received a commission to paint this pet cat portrait. I enjoy the challenge of capturing animals on paper and it’s lovely to be able to make something special for someone.
When I paint a portrait I work from several different photos to create a unique piece – so I can change the background or combine different images to get the right pose. Once the rough sketch has been approved I can start work on the final painting. I work with pencil and watercolours, gradually building up layers of paint. I also used masking fluid in this portrait to keep highlights such as the whiskers.
I recently updated the ‘animal art’ page on my website which has a little bit more information on how my pet portrait commissions work.
'Hexley Pier' - a new Hexley painting in pencil, watercolours and acrylics. The pier at Hexley is the perfect place for a walk on a nice sunny day - and if you are lucky you might spot one of the research vessels like D.O.R.A. in the distance! (Prints of this painting are now available in my 
'The Zoo' - this group of small paintings in pencil, watercolours and acrylics was based on my photos taken at Colchester zoo.
No.30 Tiger (I commented that when we go to the zoo the tiger is always hiding up so you can't see him, but soon after that he started walking all around the enclosure so I was able to get lots of photos - they might not be good enough to frame but I can still use them to draw from.)
No.31 Wolf
When Edwin Cracknell was asked to make a clockwork animal for Christmas his first thought was a robin. His clockwork birds were held in such high regard that the Clockwork Robin soon became a much sought after item in Hexley.
This illustration was drawn in dip pen and ink then painted in watercolours. A print of this illustration will soon be available in my 
