Derwent Lightfast pencils are loved by coloured pencil artists for their creamy texture, vibrant pigments, and 100% lightfast formula. In this beginner-friendly spotlight, we explore what makes them special, how they compare to Polychromos and Luminance, and why they’re a fantastic choice for realistic animal drawings. If you’re ready to upgrade your pencils, the Lightfast range is well worth discovering.

Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils are known for their creamy texture, rich colours, and excellent lightfastness. In this beginner’s guide, we explore what makes them special, why they’re loved by artists, and whether they’re worth the investment for beginners.

Discover the vibrant world of Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils—professional-quality, oil-based coloured pencils loved for their precision, rich pigments, and exceptional lightfastness. Perfect for layering, blending, and fine details, Polychromos are ideal for artists who want control and clarity in their work. In this post, we explore what makes them special and why they’re a top choice for animal and botanical art.

Bring your pet portraits to life by capturing the unique personality of each animal. This guide shares tips for using expressive eyes, body language, fur texture, and colour choices to reflect your subject’s spirit. Learn how to turn a drawing into a treasured memory with a few thoughtful techniques—perfect for beginner and intermediate artists working with coloured pencils.

Learn how to draw a realistic cat’s eye with coloured pencils in this beginner-friendly, step-by-step guide. From sketching the almond shape to layering vibrant colours and adding glossy highlights, you’ll discover how to create lifelike texture and shine. Perfect for artists looking to improve their blending and detail skills, this tutorial helps bring your animal portraits to life with confidence and clarity.

Want clean, accurate outlines for your coloured pencil art? This step-by-step guide covers three beginner-friendly methods to transfer line art: Transfer paper, graphite pencil, and lightbox tracing. Learn which tools to use, how to avoid common mistakes, and choose the method that works best for you—so you can start your drawings with confidence and focus on what you love: bringing animals to life with colour.

Learn how to blend coloured pencils to create smooth, realistic fur in your animal drawings. This post explores essential tools and techniques—from layering and burnishing to using solvents—so you can bring depth and softness to your coloured pencil art. Perfect for beginners and improving artists alike!

A vibrant set of colored pencils neatly arranged in a black case, accompanied by two compact pencil sharpeners, ready for artistic...

When drawing realistic animals with coloured pencils, choosing the right pencils can make a huge difference. With so many options on the...

Drawing animals is a deeply rewarding artistic pursuit, allowing artists to capture the beauty, personality, and essence of wildlife and...

I wrote in my first post last year how I moved from graphite pencil to using coloured pencils. In this post, I go into further detail...

Are you an aspiring artist who loves animals and wants to learn how to draw them in vibrant, realistic detail? Or perhaps you're already...

This week, Paws and Pencils Art has introduced two fresh additions to its shop inventory, now available for purchase. The first is an...

Welcome to Paws and Pencils Art! I'm thrilled to share with you the story behind this new venture and invite you to join me on this...