I swear February just vanished. One minute, I was going into the new year, and now we’re heading straight into March. Before that happens, I wanted to take a moment to share what I’ve been up to, some drawing tips, and a little sneak peek at something exciting coming soon.

Life Lately

I treated myself to a little escape at Soho Farmhouse with my sister, and honestly, it was heaven. A few days of pure relaxation, an amazing massage. If you ever get the chance, do it!

I also finally finished The Nightingale, and yes, I absolutely sobbed at the end. Books are my not-so-secret obsession. I start my mornings with a good read, and somehow, my bedside book stack only ever seems to get bigger. I have no idea how that keeps happening.

On the art front, I finished my Exmoor Pony Piece—just for me. It felt so good to create something without deadlines, pressure, or expectations. Just me, my pencils, and pure enjoyment. I get so caught up in creating for work that I sometimes forget why I fell in love with drawing in the first place. This one was a real treat.

Drawing Tips & Favourite Tools

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with a faster approach to realism, and it has completely changed the way I work. My latest Ignite tutorial features three foxes drawn on drafting film, and I’ve been using a method that speeds things up while still keeping that lovely, detailed finish.

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

• Blocking in broad areas of colour first
• Refining the details with my Slice tool and Tombow eraser
• Adding those final touches that bring everything to life

If you’ve been looking for a way to work quicker without losing the details, give it a try!

What’s Coming Up

If you’re in my free Coloured Pencil Facebook Group, mark Sunday, 2nd March on your calendar because I’m hosting a live chipmunk draw-along.

We’ll start together for an hour, and then you can finish at your own pace. It’s going to be a fun, relaxed session—perfect if you want to pick up a few tips, be part of a brilliant community, and just enjoy drawing. If you’d love to join in, click Here

And one last thing. I’ve got something exciting to reveal next week—a special piece and some big news. Keep your eyes peeled because I cannot wait to share it with you.