stonehenge paper Archives

Featured in Artists and Illustrators Magazine

Posted on August 6, 2022July 16, 2023 by Tamsin

I am thrilled to say that I am on the cover of the September 2022 issue of Artists & Illustrators! My pastel portrait Bonny Miss Bonnie is smiling at passers by from newstands, gracing the computers of digital subscribers and cheering up coffee tables across the UK and overseas.

Inside the magazine there is a six page ‘In the Studio’ feature exploring my artistic inspirations, motivations and methods. Seeing my work in print is always exciting, and to have my drawings in a magazine I have enjoyed for many years is very flattering.

Being an artist can be a pretty isolating job. I am not one of those who spends a lot of time on social media connecting with people, and in-person events are few and far between at the moment due to other commitments, so having an opportunity like this to reach a wider audience than I ever would on my own is something I am very grateful for.

The interview questions I was posed were excellent, they really made me reflect on what I do and why. And when I asked those who follow me online which 10 artworks people felt best represent my work, I received a brilliant response with many considered replies. All of those votes and comments helped inform the selection of pictures I submitted for this feature, so thank you to everyone who contributed and encouraged me.

You can get your copy of Artists & Illustrators in many highstreet retailers, major supermarkets and independent newsagents, or visit the A&I website and buy or subscribe online.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also be interested in this article about my feature in Cornwall Life Magazine.

Murad – Commissioned Coloured Pencil Portrait

Posted on August 3, 2022August 4, 2022 by Tamsin

Introducing Murad, a commissioned portrait in white coloured pencil on black paper.

Once in a while a commission comes along which has extra significance and importance, and Murad is one such subject. I was approached by the client, his daughter, as she wanted a portrait of her late father.

Murad was from Turkmenistan, and as well as a being a much loved man, he was a highly skilled engineer. Over the course of his 50 year career in aviation he developed over 190 inventions, of which over 120 were patented.

As a memorial to Murad, at his final resting place he has a gravestone with his image and a dedication engraved. The image however is not a true likeness, so although it is impressive, it does not capture the man he was for his loved ones who visit him there. His daughter, who lives in London, has long wanted to address this, so she sought an artist here in the UK who could help, and a wonderful collaboration between she and I was born.

As is often the case for portraits of those loved and lost, the photographs of Murad that were available were limited, and the one that best represented how his family wanted to remember him was very small and out of focus. This posed big challenges for me as an artist, especially as one who thrives on detail. With a lot of communication, additional reference images of Murad as a younger and older man, and taking an approach with some trial and error involved, his daughter and I were able to work together to create this portrait which captures the beautiful man that he was, in a way that all his family were happy with.

Turkmenistan’s borders have been closed for some time, so for now this portrait is living with his daughter in her UK home. When eventually she is able to return to her birth country, she will oversee the creation of a new headstone. This will be made from black marble, durable enough to withstand the harsh desert climate. It will be engraved with my portrait, and will remain as a monument to Murad long after I am gone.

To know that my art can have such importance in the world of a family thousands of miles away, and to think of it standing there and representing Murad’s life is both humbling and remarkable to me in equal measure.

Commissioning an original piece of art is a simple process which is a collaboration between us both. I can offer a range of options depending on your preferences and budget, and I make every effort to ensure that I exceed your expectations with the portrait created. As each picture takes many hours to create, if you have a date in mind for a gift for example, the sooner the commission is planned the better to ensure that it is possible to achieve. I am always happy to discuss any ideas you may have, so drop me a line or give me a call and I will help in any way that I can.

Pencil Portrait ‘A Lifetime of Laughter’ has Sold

Posted on June 7, 2022June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

I am getting A Lifetime of Laughter ready to head off to her new home. A few years ago I met a lovely lady who brought her daughter to my studio here in Cornwall for a drawing lesson. She fell in love with this pencil portrait the moment she saw it and has longed to own it ever since. So as much as I am sad to be taking this picture off of my wall here by my drawing table, I know that she will be so loved in her London home where she is going tomorrow, and that is a very happy thing indeed.

A number of my original artworks are available to own, and a selection have limited edition prints and greetings card. Visit the gallery page and click on your favourite portraits to discover more about them, and get in touch to own your own piece of beautiful art.

Funds Raised for SOLA from Fine Art

Posted on February 3, 2022June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

Last year I pledged to donate 25% of profits from my art sales in August – December to School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA).

A few years ago I was commissioned by a client to draw this coloured pencil portrait, Wakhan Girl. It features a young girl whom he had met and photographed whilst travelling in the Wakhan Corridor. There is something about this girl that spoke deeply to me, she and her fellow Afghans are often in my thoughts, and all the more so with such struggles over the last year.

When watching the recent changes unfold in Afghanistan with a heavy heart, and feeling helpless to affect any meaningful change, I realised that there was a small way I could hope to make some difference, and to show solidarity with a nation of people from here in the UK. This also gave me the opportunity to share news of SOLA with my small following, and to try to humanise the work that they are doing so many miles away.

I am delighted to say that with your support I donated £250, which thanks to match funding from a generous supporter of SOLA, was doubled to £500. To give you an idea of the impact, £500 can provide a whole year of meals for one girl. £500 can provide one year of books and supplies for two girls. And £500 can provide one year of health and hygiene care for five girls.

So from SOLA, the students, their families, and from me, I say a big thank you.

Blessed – Pencil Portrait

Posted on January 31, 2022June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

This is Blessed, my latest pencil portrait. She joins my collection of studies of old Vietnamese women whom I have drawn in graphite pencil, and she brings a sense of calm with her.

This universal pose, hands held as if in prayer or as a sign of reverence feel like a greeting and a blessing in one to me. And when I look beyond that, I see the hint of a smile on her face. This brings to life her personality and leaves me wondering what it is that she is thinking in this moment.

Once framed Blessed will be joining A Thirst for Life and A Lifetime of Laughter on my studio wall. These wonderful women keeep me company whist I draw, and remind me of all the good things that I have to look forward to.

I will be submitting Blessed and another portrait, which is yet to be drawn, to the Society of Graphic Fine Art 2022 exhibition. I hope that this portrait will catch the judges eye and that she can represent me in their show later in the year.

So the original artwork will remain with me for now, and I will soon have limited edition prints and greetings cards of Blessed available to purchase. I will of course announce the arrival of new prints and cards designs in my newsletter, and also on my website and social media.

On the Drawing Board – January 2022

Posted on January 30, 2022January 30, 2022 by Tamsin

During the first half of January I have been dividing my attention between this pencil portrait, Blessed, and two portrait commissions. Of course I will be keeping these tightly under wraps until they are with their clients, but I can say that each picture is very different from the others so it is fun switching between them.

You would be forgiven for thinking that I would have had enough of drawing wrinkles by now, but apparently not. I suspect that decades of social conditioning telling me that women should look eternally youthful and blemish free has encouraged this fascination with celebrating beauty in an older form. So here is another magnificent woman with her life charted on her skin, and I for one absolutely love how she looks and what she represents.

Blessed will join A Thirst for Life, A Lifetime of Laughter and An Age of Indigo to form a slowly growing collection of wonderfully aged women.

In both of these work in progress images, you may notice that the right hand side of the picture is further along than the left. I have favoured the right hand side initially as I am right handed, so it is easier to reach. I then turn the page upside down and work more on the other side. Turning the page upside down means that I do not have to reach across the drawing so much thus reducing the risk of smudging. And it has the added benefit of giving me literally a new perspective on the drawing which is a great help when observing as closely as is required here.

I will be sharing the finished Blessed with you soon, but for now, I will be losing myself in her delightfully wrinkly hands for a while yet.

My thanks go to Rehahn Photography for his beautiful reference image.

People’s Choice Runner Up

Posted on December 3, 2021June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

As you may know, my pencil portrait A Lifetime of Laughter has been proudly hanging in the Victoria Art Gallery for the last couple of months, as a part of the Bath Society of Artists’ annual show. As this picture didn’t sell I am very happy to have welcomed her back home, so she now hangs on my studio wall once more.

I did receive good news about her stay though, it turns out that A Lifetime of Laughter was the runner up for the People’s Choice award. Although being runner up is not a recognised position, I was delighted to learn that she was so popular with visitors and that she had won the votes of many when she was amongst hundreds of other pieces of art. So thank you to anyone reading this who may have contributed to her success in this way, it really did make my day.

I will look forward to exhibiting this artwork again at some point, and till then I will be glad to have her cheerful company whilst I work. And if you would like a bit of extra laughter in your life, she is available as a framed original artwork, limited edition prints and on a greetings card.

Sleeping Snow Leopard has Sold

Posted on October 11, 2021June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

My coloured pencil portrait Sleeping Snow Leopard has sold. It now lives with a couple who collect my art, for which I am very grateful – both for their support and as I know this artwork will be much enjoyed.

It is the way that the sun lights up this Snow Leopard that first caught my attention. That intense glow and the warmth I can imagine the rays bringing with it. Perhaps the Snow Leopard chose this spot to rest as it knew that it was the perfect position to catch the morning sun. I like to think so.

Drawn in coloured pencil on black paper, this is as much a study of textures as it is a study of a magnificent creature. The way the light catches the roughness of the tree bark frames the portrait and draws us in as if inviting us to come closer. The glow of the golden light bouncing off the thick coat of the snow leopard makes me think of how cold it’s home in the mountains is, and how welcome in turn this basking in the sunlight must be.

Exhibiting with Bath Society of Artists 2021

Posted on September 30, 2021June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

I am very pleased to say that my pencil portraits A Thirst for Life and A Lifetime of Laughter were both shortlisted for the Bath Society of Artists 2021 open exhibition. This is an annual open show where half of the art exhibited is by Bath Art Society members and half by non-members like myself. Places are limited and highly sought after, so I was delighted to be in the running.

For the second stage of the selection process us artists had to deliver our work to the Victoria Gallery in Bath for judging. That meant a day trip and chance to explore this beautiful city, and it just so happened that whilst I was there the Holburne Museum had an exhibition of works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. What a treat it was to see these Pre-Raphaelite paintiing, drawings and photographs in person. My favourite of the show was ‘Jane Morris (The Blue Silk Dress)’ as shown below, which Rossetti painted in 1868. It really is a stunning portrait which I could have stared at for hours.

From the judging process A Lifetime of Laughter has been selected and will be exhibited as a part of the Bath Society of Artists 116th annual art exhibition. As you can imagine I am thrilled to be one of the lucky participants in this prestigious show.

The Bath Society of Artists 2021 exhibition will run from Saturday 2nd October until Saturday 20th November at the Victoria Art Gallery.

Midnight has Sold

Posted on September 13, 2021June 10, 2022 by Tamsin

My coloured pencil portrait, Midnight, has found itself a new home, with the original artwork being sold fresh off the drawing board.

Subscribers to my newsletter receive exclusive insights into my studio work, and are the first to see when a new portrait is completed. It was one such person who having seen Midnight in the August newsletter, fell in love with the picture and knew he had to have it. As someone who had owned horses himself he appreciated the artwork for both the horse and the details of the bridle. It evokes many memories for him and I know will be enjoyed for many years to come.

As the client lives locally here to me in Cornwall I was able to hand deliver Midnight, and had the great pleasure of seeing where it will hang on the wall opposite the front door, greeting everyone as they arrive.

In due course I will have a fresh batch of greetings cards printed, and Midnight will be amongst the new designs. I will share in a Sketchbook post here when they are available, and also in my newsletter and on social media.

If you too would like to recieve my monthly newsletter and be amongst the first to see my latest art, you can sign up at the bottom of any page on this website.