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If you’ve ever found yourself staring at shelves (or webpages) full of pencils thinking “Where on earth do I even start?” you’re not alone. I get asked this almost daily – and it made me think… if I were starting again today, knowing everything I’ve learned over the last ten years, what would I actually […]

Can I tell you about the time someone called my horse flat and I nearly lost my mind? It was around March 2016. I’d already fallen completely head over heels for coloured pencils (no surprise there), but I’d started getting commissions for graphite work too, after a drawing of someone’s dog went up on Facebook […]

There’s something incredibly satisfying about drawing a shiny horse coat – that moment when it catches the light and suddenly looks real. It’s also one of the quickest ways to get frustrated if you rush it. With the Year of the Fire Horse now underway, it feels like the perfect time to talk about shine.  […]

I know it can feel quite overwhelming when it comes to choosing the right surface for your coloured pencil piece. You’ve got different papers, different opinions, and that little voice saying “If I pick the wrong one, I’ll ruin it.”  So let’s take a breath and simplify it. This is how I choose my surface… […]

Leaves look simple… until you try to draw them. Suddenly there are overlaps, twists, shadows, odd shapes, bits missing  and it can all feel a bit overwhelming. So let me start with this: You don’t need to copy the photo exactly. Drawing leaves is about understanding shape, light, and layering not perfection. 1. Start with […]

Ten years ago, I sat at my kitchen table with a set of coloured pencils and told myself I’d just have a go. That tiny act of courage changed everything. Since then, I’ve realised that creativity isn’t just about art – it’s about coming home to yourself. When we draw, we slow down. We breathe […]

World mental health day a couple of weeks ago got me thinking about just how much art and creativity have been a lifeline for me. Over the years, whenever life has felt overwhelming, picking up my pencils has been a way to steady myself. Drawing slows me down. It gives me space to breathe, to […]

Artist Bonny Snowdon presents Bonny Unfiltered—my free monthly newsletter full of honest moments, stories, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my creative life.

Coloured pencil artist Bonny Snowdon shows top tips for drawing realistic, detailed eyes using coloured pencils—structure, blending, and subtle highlights.”

When we first start drawing, especially if we’re aiming for realism, it’s easy to get lost in the details. We think: “If I just draw every hair, every line, every speck, then my drawing will look real.” But realism isn’t about capturing every single mark you see. It’s about creating the feeling of life on […]