About

UK Coloured Pencil Society Competition Selection

Hello! My name is Nicola Bird and I'm a coloured pencil artist.

I'm originally from Kent but my husband and I moved up to the West Midlands in 2017. I began drawing in 2018, after a 15 year career in HR in the corporate world. I've always loved creative activities and it's wonderful to now be fully focused on drawing. It was after we welcomed our Miniature Schnauzer, Vesper, into our lives that I felt compelled to begin drawing. Previously, I'd enjoyed art at school and undertaken various crafting hobbies over the years but I hadn't tried drawing. Vesper was such a beautiful puppy and I found myself wanting to capture her image on paper.

My mother, Anne, was a creative person and enjoyed watercolour painting and inspired by this memory, I began dabbling with this medium. It felt lovely to be creating artwork but I realised that I wanted to explore a medium that enabled me to really focus in on the detail and play with texture and colour in a precise way. After some research I discovered coloured pencils and haven't looked back. For me, they are the perfect choice!

Coloured pencil is a slow medium which involves laying down many layers of pigment; each portrait takes hours of work and care. The process of laying down the initial outline image and then building the contours of the face and texture of the fur to create the final image is so enjoyable and rewarding. Patience, focus and precision are the keys to success!

I love the challenge of capturing each pet's image in a realistic and characterful way; bringing them to life on paper surface.

I'm very lucky to have a beautiful workspace where I spend my time relishing the drawing process. Vesper is my number one fan and she is always by my side snoozing in her comfy bed.

Vesper has changed my and my husband's life; the love we have for her and the joy she brings to us every day is amazing. Understanding the bond we have with our pets motivates me to ensure each portrait I draw provides my client with a captured memory that can be cherished forever.

Every client I'm lucky enough to work with places their trust in me to capture the unique character and beauty of their beloved pet. Each portrait is an honour to draw and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity.