Latest News for the UK Artist Karen M Berisford - Pets, Portraits & Wildlife Art

Latest progress on my Jaguar in Acrylics

12/2/2017

Early progress of a jaguar in Acrylics on Ampersand Gessobord

As this weekend has been very grey & drizzly I thought I would get to work on one of my Acrylic paintings sat on my 'progress' shelves here in the studio. This is a 12" x 16" painting of a stunning Jaguar that I photographed last year and knew it would make the perfect composition. The base of the canvas was painted with a wash of Burnt Sienna before starting the build up of the background and I then moved on

to the Jaguar itself, applying every single hair individually with a very fine brush. This fur layering process will probably take around 3 layers to get the right balance of tone and level of detail that I like to add into my work and I

Acrylic paints in a small porcelain palette over an Acrylic painting of a Jaguar in progress

working on an acrylic painting of a Jaguar

break up the intensity of the application by switching to different sections of the painting throughout, it also avoids paint waste as Acrylics can dry quickly so I ensure I place smaller amounts in the paint palette that will be used up before starting with a different range of tones for the next section. There is a lot of small detail on this painting and so it will take a good few hours to complete but I think you'll agree it is a beautiful subject!

Acrylic painting of a Jaguar on a 12

12" x 16" on a 3mm Gessobord

Visit our shop below to see what paintings are currently available

Original art for sale

Bespoke Commissions - Looking for a specific piece of art by myself? Read on...

5/2/2017

Most people visiting my website would understandably think that I only take on pet & portrait commissions, but I do undertake various subjects, if someone is looking for something specific. The three images below were created using an editing program, allowing me to cut and paste sections of digital images, to create one 'mock up', which will then become the reference photo used for the portrait. As a huge fan of photography, I have collected thousands of photographs of animals, birds & many other subject matter, that can be used for a bespoke portrait.

2 Barn Owls sat on a wall in Cresswell, Northumberland

coloured pencil drawing of two Barn Owls at Cresswell, Northumberland, UK

These Barn Owls were taken on two separate occasions at the Butterfly House in Sheffield, but the background was taken in Cresswell, Northumberland. The wall was taken on a different day, at Woodhorn church in Northumberland. They were all cropped and loosely fused together in an editing program, to create a single composition. The artwork, which is being created in coloured pencils for a returning customer from the USA, will be created by balancing out incorrect lighting and generally offering a more appealing and balanced background. When this article was first written, this drawing was currently in progress, but the finished drawing has been added here at a later date.
The final drawing was added in at a later date.

The Sumatran Tiger was also created in Coloured pencils for a returning customer who allowed me to create my own composition. The Tiger image was taken at a zoo, of which you can still see the bars. The water, rocks in the foreground, and the tree branches at the top left of the image, were all cut from individual images, to create the one composition.

Sumatran Tiger in green water and surrounded by greenery

Sumatran Tiger coloured pencil drawing

The Green girl was created purely for a competition entry for the USA Colored pencil Magazine. You could pull any section from the image itself and create your own composition, for this I uploaded it into Picmonkey and literally played around with different tones, overlays and applications until I came up with the final reference image.

Girl with green hair image edited using Picmonkey

Green haired wood nymph coloured pencil drawing for the American colored pencil magazine

If you have your own idea for a piece of art that you would like to commission me to create in coloured pencils or acrylics, you can drop me an E-mail direct at: karenmberisfordart@gmail.com, drop me a message via my CONTACT FORM or request a quote on the BOOKING/QUOTE FORM. Here is another bespoke commission that was requested for a Wedding Day, and laterly, a gift for a 1 year wedding anniversary gift.

Giclee Prints Available

2/6/2016

I recently ordered a couple of Giclee Prints of two of my Big Cat Artworks. The Sumatran Tiger (left) was created in Acrylics and the Amur Leopard was created in Coloured Pencils.
Any print I offer for sale has been printed on archival paper and mounted using a Traditional hanging method also using Archival and Acid free products and have a lifespan of around 75+ years! Every print also comes with a hand signed Certificate of Authenticity.

Sumatran Tiger print and certificate of authenticity

Amur Leopard in Coloured pencils alongside a Giclee print and the Certificate of Authenticity

HOW MUCH DOES A PRINT COST?

I offer 2 sizes of print at the following prices:
A4 fits into a standard 12" x 16" frame COST: £45.00
A3 fits into a standard 16" x 20" frame COST: £60.00
Both have FREE delivery within the UK (please check P & P costs for International)

Every print is Hand signed by Myself

Mounted using a Traditional hinging process

All the tapes and boards are archival and acid free

If you have found a piece of Art on my website that you would love to own but do not have the budget for, a print is a cheaper alternative. Take a look on my ART FOR SALE page or the GICLEE PRINTS page, both will show which Original Artworks can be purchased as a print.

DELIVERY TIMES:
If I have stock available, delivery is around 2 - 3 days, if a print is out of stock, it will be placed on order for you and delivery can take between 1 - 2 weeks.

New Acrylic portraits in Progress

15/2/2016

For the last few weeks, I have been working on a few acrylic paintings and thought I would share with you progress so far on them. An acrylic painting begins with a tonal base layer, which primes the canvas, ready for the addition of detail. Every painting is individual, as I sometimes include mediums, providing additional texture and colour. Here are some of the subjects I am currently working on.

Springer Spaniel

Black Labrador

Yellow Labrador

White Boxer pup

Jaguar

There are more portraits planned for 2016 and I will add more to this news page as regularly as possible. If you would like to book your own acrylic portrait, you can find out more on my ACRYLICS ART GALLERY page. I have also recently introduced a FRAMING service alongside my paintings, to provide customers with the full package. You can be sure that your painting has been created, using the best quality, lightfast products and the frame is safely & securely applied, allowing you to enjoy your portrait for many years to come.

If you wish to ask for a no-obligation quote or book your portrait, a form can be found at the bottom of the acrylics page. Simply fill in the form and get a reply within hours.
Any questions, please get in touch!
Karen

New Artworks coming soon....

25/5/2015

Inside the studio of Coloured pencil Artist Karen M Berisford

I was recently approached by a pencil Magazine to write an Article on myself and my Coloured pencil Art for a forthcoming issue (more details will follow on the magazine). It is always a compliment knowing that someone likes my Art and wishes to find out more, especially when it is being published in a Magazine that goes out to a world wide audience too. I have spent the last few years creating bespoke Commissions and so decided to challenge myself by creating all new pieces of Art for the magazine, some that were specifically created to represent the 'story' that will be included alongside these pieces of Art - a story that I very rarely share publicly.

As I only had 3 weeks to complete the drawings, I pulled a few unfinished works out the archives to complete and I also began a few brand new pieces too - these works all represent my true artistic interests from Birds which is where I first began, to Big Cats which allow me to really push my boundaries with details, a Human portrait which I just love creating and of course the Pet portraits which I have always loved to do as these animals have all brought so much joy

Karen M Berisford in her Newbiggin Art Studio working on a Springer Spaniel

and happiness to their owners and deserve their memorial portraits, reminding us every day of those happy times spent together and the special bond we have.

There were a few pieces I was unable to complete for the deadline (Springer Spaniel above) as I did not want to rush them being so detailed however, all these pieces will be added to my website with their dedicated page as to how they were completed and for those available for sale, a chance to purchase the original or buy a print or 2.

Details will be added on my News page once the Magazine is out (June Issue) with a link to the website where you can purchase a Print copy or a digital copy to download. This magazine is a must for any Coloured pencil lover or for anyone simply wishing to read 'my story' as it's the one and only time I'll share it publicly.

Costs are as follows:
Printed Copy $5.99 £3.87* €5.46* Delivery (1 - 2 weeks) USA $4.06 UK £2.96*
Digital Copy $2.99 £1.93* €2.72*

*Due to exchange rate, these prices may vary

'Survivor' selected for the 12th UKCPS Open International exhibition

26/6/2013

Click the image to see how it was produced

I am very proud to say that for the 2nd year running, one of my Coloured Pencil pieces has been selected for the UKCPS Open International Exhibition.

This year the Exhibition will be held at the
Patchings Art Centre,
Oxton Road
Calverton
Notts
NG14 6NU

All Artworks have been selected anonymously making this a fair selection process for all Artists, both Amateur & Professionals alike.

It is also worth noting if you are a budding Artist yourself that the venue also has an Arts & Crafts Materials shop that may be worth a visit at the same time!
http://www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk/art_craft_materials_nottingham/art_craft_materials_shop.php

The Exhibition begins on the 1st September and is available to view by the public until the 6th of October 2013

Karen's work on show....

9/3/2013

A couple of my Coloured Pencil Artworks were put on show at the New Revenues Hall in the Chesterfield Town Centre, Derbyshire in March 2013.

The newly refurbished Customer Service centre opened on the 7th of March 2013, and I was asked, alongside local photographer, Les Wilcockson, to be the first to showcase our work at this venue for 2 months.

This finished on the 15.05.13

UKCPS Exhibition Feedback - Nuneaton Art Gallery

6/12/2012

Me working on 'Snow Queen' in Coloured pencils

From: 6th of October - 25th November 2012

This was the first year that I have entered one of my Artworks in
The 11th Annual UKCPS Open International Exhibition.
Very rarely do I enter my work into Exhibitions and Competitions but as this was for the UK Coloured pencil Society, being very passionate about both the medium and raising the profile of Coloured pencils as a serious medium, I decided to enter my Snow Leopard which was produced in a selection of Coloured pencils including Karisma, Derwent Coloursoft & Caran Dache to name a few and produced on Black Colourfix paper, thoroughly enjoying the process from start to finish. The Exhibition enteries were also to be judged by Dr Sally Bulgin - Managing Director & Editor of "The Artist"
Graham Brace, founder member of the UKCPS and Leah Lister, Marketing Manager at Derwent.
Although 'Snow Queen' did not bring any awards home for her Mum, I was pleasantly surprised to find an envelope drop through my letterbox full of 'Voting slips' from the public who visited the Exhibition. Here are a selection of comments received from some of those visitors, of which I would like to extend a HUGE Thank you for your 'votes' and Thanks to Pat Heffer for sending them

"Amazing skill & patience. Beautiful markings. Excellent depiction of subject"
"Why no prize???"
"Stunning! The eyes follow you!"
"Superb detail. Stunning"
"Absolutely fabulous"
"Beautiful detail and features"
"Outstanding! A wonderful picture!"
"Blown away by the detail in the picture. Amazing likeness"

To see the winner selections of the judges, please click HERE

UKCPS - United Kingdom Coloured Pencil Society Magazine Article

25/10/2012

As a huge, lifelong fan of the Coloured pencils, I am a member of the UKCPS, which is a society for all those lovely Coloured pencil Artists out there.
As I was preparing for a 5 week Coloured Pencil Workshop working with the Colourfix paper, I produced an article within the folders of my website and also offered it as an article for the up and coming September UKCPS magazine of which it was gracefully accepted and added to print.

You can see the magazine here and if you wish to view the content, please click on the picture link which will take you to the original article. I hope this helps all those other Artists out there looking for something 'different' for their work. Enjoy!

Coloured Pencils 5 week Workshop

30/9/2012

My completed 'test' piece

Monday the 1st of October sees the final installment of my CP 5 week workshop in Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Although this is only the second 5 week workshop I have run, (there will be more next year for those who may be interested in booking) this one saw every attendee excelling in my favourite medium! Some are fans of the CP's already (with an ever growing selection of pencils that an ardent fan would be proud of) and then there are those who decided to give them their first test run, with some spectacular results - maybe I am lucky to have a talented bunch or they may say it is down to the Tutoring, personally it is down to an individuals 'patience' , something that is needed for CP's as they are a very intense medium but well worth the results - just take a look at the images below to see some of the students working on week 3 - I am now off to book myself into rehab for Artists who just cannot seem to stop drawing those dang stunning Tigers!!

If you wish to find out more on my Art Workshops, please visit:
www.chesterfieldartsgroup.co.uk

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