Hi, I'm Bonny Snowdon!
Artist, Tutor, Coach
I'm a North Yorkshire-based, award-winning coloured pencil artist and an artists’ mentor specialising in realistic animal portraits.
My mission is to help as many coloured pencil artists as possible realise their dreams, reach their full potential, and create amazing, lifelike drawings they can be proud of.
I'm committed to helping the members in my Ignite membership, so I'm always present and active in my community, ready to help whenever it's needed.
More about me...
I'm also a single mum and artist who has only been drawing since 2016. Having initially picked up coloured pencils to use in colouring books (as I needed an outlet to help with the strains of work and home life) colouring books soon became my go-to stress relief. Prior to the colouring books, I hadn't picked up a pencil or done any drawing since 1987 when I left college at the age of 17, so it came as a bit of a surprise that as soon as I started drawing my progression happened really quickly.
Now, 7 years on, I'm teaching people all over the world the techniques I have honed in my Ignite community. I share everything I know about coloured pencils in the knowledge that if you want something, no matter how crazy it might seem at first, you CAN do it!
Go from drawing stick animals to creating thoroughbreds
Go from feeling tentative, lacking in confidence and getting mediocre results in your coloured pencil artwork to feeling incredibly proud of your drawings, with a belief that you can take your art to the highest levels.
And from drawing simple sketches to creating fine art
Go from knowing you want to draw, but not really knowing what to do, to understanding layering, values and creating amazing realistic drawings.
Judith Wysocki
Bonny's teaching is immeasurable. With her words in my head and her by my side, I really do feel fearless. Not only do I learn how to improve my animal art, she also leads me down a personal growth path... She has changed my attitude on life and confidence. In other words, this lady has made me FEARLESS!
This is where the magic happens
John Woodrow
I had been drawing for about 2 months before I started with Bonny, at that point I had no idea of how little I knew. Bonny's Academy is amazing though and explains everything so well. It goes into all the different pencil brands and how to use each brand, different drawing surfaces and the techniques for each surface and, of course, the tutorials. The Academy has some amazing tutorials, with small focus tutorials to show you how to draw different fur types, eyes and other areas. The full tutorials are also amazing, with all different breeds of animals and birds to really help develop your pencil skills. With each tutorial, Bonny lets you know exactly what supplies will be required and talks you through in real time how to draw the subject.
You won't find a more dedicated person than Bonny to help you develop your skills. It is amazing how much she does for us, with Sketch Clubs, Confidence Sessions, Art Club and Q&A sessions. You won't be disappointed.
Some frequently asked questions we've had about my Ignite Membership...
Is your membership suitable for beginners?
Do you have a Facebook Group specifically for Ignite Members?
Are all of your previous tutorials available to me when I join?
I'm in a different time zone. Will that matter?
Do you provide a reference photo, line art and materials list?
How will I know when live sessions are being held?
Melanie Singlehurst
I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your wonderful Academy. You have helped me so much with advice in the Business Drop Ins around building and running my commission art business. Also, I find the Confidence Sessions invaluable and I love how you share so many things - dream boards, coaching, mindfulness, meditation and so forth.
I always look forward to The Weekly Scribble and the podcasts are so interesting. I also love how you share your life with us - I feel as though you are a personal friend. The Academy is a wonderful place to be and it makes me so happy to be part of such a fantastic community. Thank you for being you - a wonderful, intelligent, kind, caring and generous person and an amazing artist.
Here’s what feedback looks like from existing members of the Ignite Membership
Real members. Real feedback.
The videos below allow you to hear from some more members of my beloved Ignite community - more about how the experience is increasing their confidence and changing their coloured pencil art and their lives for the better every day.
Our members include hundreds of wonderful people from all walks of life and all parts of the world. We are a truly global community!
Are you ready to become an Igniter?
I WANT IN!How much does the Ignite membership cost?
The cost of the Ignite Membership will be increasing for those who join in September 2024*, so there has never been a better time to join!
*Once you join the membership the cost of your subscription will not increase, as long as you remain a member.
Sue Dally
Sue had an operation in 2015 which meant recovery was incredibly slow and she could no longer work, so she took early retirement. Whilst recovering, she felt she couldn’t do anything but sit around and she felt useless. Sue’s husband gently persuaded her to take up art, and she joined her local art group in Spring 2018, where she found a new sense of freedom and expression. Whilst searching for art tutorials on YouTube in 2019, she found Bonny and joined her Patreon group, and then Bonny’s Academy earlier this year. Sue has gained a new sense of confidence in her own drawing, so much so that she now feels able to accept coloured pencil commissions.
