My name is Zara Toms, based in Hampshire in the UK. I specialise in detailed pet portraits and wildlife art in pastels and acrylics. My YouTube channel is packed full of painting & drawing tips and techniques. If you're beginning your art journey, a hobbyist or an advanced artist I'm always happy to answer any art related questions. If you'd like to grow and develop your art further I offer in depth, considerably slower, often real time tutorial in pastels and acrylics on my Patreon. My Patreon has a large range of domestic pets for members who are looking to expand into pet portraits themselves. With a range of breeds demonstrating the tips and techniques I use to transfer into their own portraits. There is also a wide range of wildlife subjects so there is something for everyone :).
I upload videos to YouTube every Tuesday & Saturday.
Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
* Vibrant colours with pastel pencils *
NEW YouTube video :D. This one shows how I created this Kingfisher and I've packed loads of tips into this one that focus on maintaining good colour saturation and contrast which can be quite tricky with pastels if the layering process is incorrect. Muddy layers can happen so easily and this process is how I like to work to avoid that issue.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/JF4VGMeb-X0
5 days ago | [YT] | 50
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
It's been really interesting creating these tutorials and seeing the 50/50 split of the stages.
The detail on the right side I have established here is not yet complete but it's at the stage where the fur directions and variations in fur length are indicated at. When I continue to layer on top of this stage, that is where I will enhance the contrast further. But this photo shows yet again how crucial the base foundation is in terms of how much of it is actually showing through the details on the right side.
At the moment, the highlights in the details are not yet bright enough but that's for a reason. I don't ever want to paint the lightest layers first because then I have no where to go when building depth. It's a gradual process. It's also therefore important to keep reminding ourselves that when painting realism, there are stages that may not look quite how we want but it's an entirely normal and necessary part of the process.
In depth tutorials: www.patreon.com/zaratomsart
1 week ago | [YT] | 91
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
The base foundation of the next pastel tutorial is now done. Like I mentioned on the graphite Beagle update a couple of days ago, even though there isn't any detail at all here the shape and form of the subject is already indicated at. This has a sense of realism already because I have ensured my contrast is where it needs to be for this stage.
I never just work with one colour for a base. I want to follow that reference photo as much as I can whilst ensuring I don't begin to add more definition than I need. Jumping into details too soon causes issues later on and whilst this phase may not be the most fun (I personally really enjoy this part of the process) but it can be rushed especially if we feel 'it's just the base layer, we can draw over it'.
I want this stage to reinforce my details so it's always a part of the process I take my time with. It's exciting to this here one layer at a time and appreciate how much impact a good base foundation can have.
In depth tutorials: www.patreon.com/zaratomsart
1 week ago | [YT] | 68
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
* The start of the next graphite tutorial *
The base foundation is done. Something I want to mention again because it can so easily be over looked is... There is no detail at all here. I haven't used a single graphite pencil on the fur at all yet but because I have got enough of a hinting of the values, this already has realistic shape and form. And this is why contrast is vital.
I don't work one layer at a time like this usually but seeing this photo update shows how important the base layers are. That being said, there were times here on the collar that I just couldn't pinpoint specifics on the clasp, the tag etc that would have made it easier if I were working on smaller sections. In order for me to achieve my goal for this specific tutorial I've had to put up with that for the collar and this is something we will be tidying up later anyway but it's a great example of how if you're feeling lost, overwhelmed or maybe just hesitating trying to figure out where you are in your reference photo vs drawing then it's usually because the section is too big. If we're trying to absorb too much information from the reference photo it's then easy to rush and panic. That's counterproductive so just then focusing on one or two inches at a time can help to simplify the process.
The next phase now will be mapping in some texture and details. The next updates I'll be sharing will look a little odd but it's all part of the plan for this lesson :D
In depth tutorials: www.patreon.com/zaratomsart
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 83
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
Continuing with the specific plan and structure of the next three tutorials... In acrylics we have this very cute dog which I believe is a Sheltie? (May be wrong) but as well as confidence building for artists who struggle with painting from their own reference photographs, this real time tutorial will cover all aspects of painting soft, long fur.
Whilst I have the paints on the palette, I'll carry on with the base layer but I am really looking forward to adding the detail. It's so important to get the base foundation right first before detail is added. This is a stage of a painting I would never rush. It has to be right =).
In depth tutorials: www.patreon.com/zaratomsart
1 week ago | [YT] | 76
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
* Importance of softness in graphite *
This is todays New YouTube video focus and I show this on my latest graphite drawing of the Clownfish.
This video demonstrates why I love working with this approach and how it can be a game changer when aiming for softness & realism.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/RkuIEKndDtA
1 week ago | [YT] | 29
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
This morning I have finished the base layer for the graphite tutorial (updates to come soon) and this afternoon my plan is to begin the next acrylic tutorial.
For now, here is an update on the pastel tutorial. Bit odd seeing this 50/50 split but it's all part of the plan for my specific goals for this tutorial :D
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 34
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
* Key stages of painting fur in acrylics *
This is what this new YouTube video focuses on =).
Watch here: https://youtu.be/uQLF113OA0s
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 87
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
How is it Thursday already!! And June!! As each month progresses it does allow me to tick eve more tutorials off my list. And for the next selection of real time tutorials for Patreon I have a very specific plan...
Something I have been speaking to lots of artists about over the last couple of months is the trouble they're having when drawing/painting portraits of their own (not following a tutorial). Whether this is of pet portrait commissions or art of their own pets.
The brain is a powerful thing and in that moment of knowing we're drawing something entirely on our own, we may start to immediately over think the process yet sometimes we haven't even started the portrait. I know exactly how that feels and it can become a viscous cycle which dents our confidence and can be very frustrating.
I've been thinking of ways to try and help with this and firstly, following tutorials and building up the confidence through drawing along is that first step. That enables the practice of techniques, gain confidence with the medium and help to visualise how the steps should come together. And the more this is done, painting/drawing different fur colours & textures, the more skills we develop and confidence builds. But... Being asked to draw someone's pet (such a privilege and we want to get it right and it's super exciting to have that buzz!) that can immediately make the brain think the process is completely different. The pressure we put on ourselves during these times can be immense and that usually makes everything feel worse.
So.... I have planned the next 3 tutorials (one for each medium) with a very specific goal to help over come this. It is different to how all of my other tutorials are structured but I do really think that this is going to be a massive help.
I will share more details on this plan as this develops but for now, here is the subject for the pastel tutorial... This is going to have a twist... Excited to share that when I get to it!
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In depth tutorials: www.patreon.com/zaratomsart
Reference photo: Pixabay
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 53
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Zara's Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art
My computer is cooperating today! So a new YouTube video has just gone live :D. This ones shows how I did this Hedgehog pastel pencil drawing and I've focused this on how to work with a simplified, structured layering process which can help when drawing confusing, difficult textures or elements - such as all those spines :D
Watch here: https://youtu.be/3zz6lPosX-Q
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 53
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