Welcome to my website I am a Pet Portrait Artist specialising in pastels, coloured and graphite pencil.
I live just outside of York with my husband, three German Shepherds – Meg, Leo and Yogi, Ted a Golden Retriever and Pebbles a Tortoiseshell Cat. I have grown up twin daughters and North Yorkshire has been home since childhood. I was brought up on a farm surrounded by farm animals, cats, dogs and horses. I’ve always drawn from a young age and liked to paint and draw people, landscapes and animals. However, my favourite subject are animals which I am hugely passionate about.

About 10 years ago I took a City and Guilds course in Decorative Paint Techniques and Interior Design. Having spent several years in the industry I’ve undertaken a number of roles from designing colour schemes and wall art for Barratt Homes to running my own business designing interiors and making soft furnishings. Design experience and my natural flare for artistry has given me a great eye for detail and a real understanding of context, composition, light and shade.

Four years ago I attended a workshop with Catherine Inglis, a well known professional artist who works predominantly in soft pastels and specialises in commissions for animal and family portraits. From Catherine’s workshop I felt greatly inspired to pursue my ambition for painting animals in pastels and love the way they work so well to capture the texture, depth and highlights of animal fur.

In the past few years I have painted many pets, including my own and commissions for friends and family. I’ve spent many hours creating pet portraits using high quality paper and pastels to deliver a picture that captures the unique character and individuality in each animal. All I need is simply a very good photo to work from. As a member of the York Art Society I exhibit my art in small galleries around North Yorkshire and have received great enthusiasm and interest in my work.

Testimonials

Hi Caroline,
We would just like to say a very big thank you for your work on our Botham picture. Once again your talent has produced a very life like, and beautiful representation of one of our beloved pets. I’m sure we will be in touch in the future for another piece of work from you.

Best wishes,
Chris & Kerry Waterhouse, North Ferriby.

“Hi Caroline, picture of Max fantastic thank you.”

– Harry

Regarding the picture of Boo the St Bernard, it was absolutely fantastic! You have really captured Boo in the picture and it’s a delight to look at. It has been well admired and is like having Boo back in a small way. Ness and I will definitely be getting more pictures done.

– Darren & Ness

“Oh my goodness it’s amazing! You have cought the likeness of her so well, has brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you so much”.

– Vicki Leaf

“I’ve Just recieved the print of the boarder terrier it’s absolutly perfect,I think I will take it down to the Framers tomorrow as I think It deserves a good frame.
Thankyou for sending it so quickley it’s absolutly beautiful.”

– Mrs B Martin

“Just had to tell you I have to keep looking at the picture of Abbi I’m blown away by it, It’s just like she is in real life.
You are so clever.”

– Hilary

“The picture of Nigell and Delia is amazing their eye follow you. John was very suprised and pleased with it and with me too!!
Thank you”

– Kathryn Terry

“Morris is home and safe, we are absolutely over the moon with him, you have done a fantastic job, even the little shine on his nose! His eyes are brilliant, I always thought they were the hardest part but they look just like a photo. I can’t really put into words how good it is apart from using brilliant far too many times!”

Thank you and we will be in touch in the new year for a portrait of Botham.

– Kerry

Photography Tips

I tend to work from only one photo, possibly using others for reference. I work from both digital Jpegs or physical photos, just let me know which is your preferred method. All photographs will be taken great care of and returned in the condition they are sent to me in. The better quality of the photo, the more detailed the finished portrait will be, so clear good sized photo’s will make the best portraits. I can only draw what I can see.

I can make many adjustments at request, such as removing lens flare from eyes and removing collars from dogs and cats and tack from horses.

Due to Copyright laws, by commissioning a portrait you are agreeing that you have sought permission from the photographer even if it is from a home photograph. If you want to use professionally taken photographs you must also seek permission from the photographer.