My favourite part of drawing Emmylou and Ted was their soft, wavy coats. When I’m working with long, wavy textures like theirs, subtractive techniques are essential. Instead of only building layers on the paper, I also lift pigment off to create those natural highlights and flowing strands. For this piece, I used a mix of…
Author: Kelly Murphy
Artist
Emma (commission)
I loved working on this dog portrait, and if I had to choose a favourite detail it would be her ears. The colours, the textures, and that mix of long inner fluff with shorter outer fur came together so softly you almost want to reach out and touch them. To achieve that softer look, I…
New Christmas Card Designs
Excited to share something special for the holiday season. My new Christmas cards are here, featuring three original wildlife drawings with a festive twist. Each design includes a seasonal surprise tucked into the scene, blending nature with a touch of holiday charm. Whether you’re sending warm wishes or looking for something unique to share, these…
19th Annual Oxford Creates Artisan Market
The same great annual artisan market now in a new location! Join us for the 19th Annual Oxford Creates Artisan Market at South Gate Centre, 191 Old Wellington St. S., Woodstock. Over 30 local artists will be showcasing pottery, jewellery, paintings, fibre arts, photography, and more. It’s a fantastic way to support local talent and…
Lacey (commission)
When I create a portrait, the eyes are always the heart of it. I start with a simple outline, just enough structure to build on, then slowly layer colour, keeping it light and deliberate. I’m always watching for how the light hits. There’s usually one strong highlight, but it’s the smaller, secondary reflections that give…
Joey (commission)
One of the key challenges, and most satisfying parts, of this golden doodle portrait was capturing the contrast between the looser, longer waves on the muzzle and the short, tight curls across the body. When rendering curls, I’ve found it’s far more effective to think in terms of shapes of colour, rather than trying to…
Mylo (commission)
One of the most rewarding challenges in coloured pencil work is capturing the softness and texture of long fur, especially on a white dog. For this commission, I leaned heavily into subtractive techniques, using a micro eraser and ceramic blade to lift and carve out delicate strands of hair. These tools allowed me to create…
Juror’s Choice Award
Exciting news! I’m happy to share that two of my original artworks, Chickadee and Raccoon, were featured in the Visual Elements 67: Annual Juried Exhibition at the Woodstock Art Gallery. And Chickadee received a Juror’s Choice Award. The exhibition is still open until October 11, so if you’re nearby, feel free to drop by the…
Chipmunk
My affection for these tiny bundles of fluff stretches back to childhood, woven into memories of summer camping trips. Inevitably, the chipmunks never failed to appear—hopeful, wide-eyed, perched on a nearby rock or, if you were lucky, scampering up your leg, all in pursuit of a peanut. Even now, chipmunks continue to find their way…
Honey (commission)
My latest commission, and this one was a joy to create! Unlike traditional painting, where colours are blended together directly, coloured pencils don’t blend in the same way on drafting film. However, by applying colour on both sides, the film’s translucency allows the layers to interact seamlessly, creating depth and richness in the final portrait.
Kelly Murphy, Fine Art 