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…
Author: Kelly Murphy
Artist
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.
Lily (commission)
Creating a tabby cat portrait is a bit like doing the hokey pokey- you add some colour in, take some colour out, add more colour in. Layering tones and adjusting values is key to achieving that signature striped look.Of course, it’s best to skip the part where you shake it all about- especially when holding…
Marley (commission)
At first glance, white fur might seem like a challenge when placed against a white background. But here is the secret- white fur is rarely pure white. It carries subtle tones and shades that can be tricky to spot at first.One simple trick to help train your eye is using a small square of pure…
Thor (commission)
I was absolutely captivated by Thor’s charming ‘smile,’ and recreating it was the most enjoyable part of his portrait. Achieving a realistic gummy smile lies in capturing the glossy highlights on the gums. It’s essential to focus on getting the deeper tonal values of pinks and blacks just right. I begin by working outward from…
Molly (commission)
While looking at Molly’s photos, I could almost feel the softness of the fur on her ears. To capture this delicate texture in my drawing, I start with initial layers of colour applied with a very light touch, using circular motions to create a ‘soft blur’ without any harsh lines. Shadows are added with a…
Great Blue Heron
Camping has been a part of my life ever since my parents introduced me to it as a kid, and it’s a tradition I’ve carried on with my own children. One of my favorite moments on the hiking trails is spotting the Great Blue Heron. It’s such a joy to draw, from the bright colours…
Odin (commission)
True story: When I first pursued art as a career, I was beyond excited. I got all of the materials and aimed to start with pet portraits. Single-coloured animals like all black are trickier than you think. They aren’t just so,I’d black- you must capture the greys, blues, purples, and reds in their fur for…
Bella (commission)
Exciting news! My pet portrait commissions are fully booked until June. If you are considering a pet portrait, join my waiting list to be notified when I open slots for July through December. Can’t wait to create more amazing portraits for you and your pets! Here is my latest portrait of the beautiful Bella.
Otters
Nothing warms the heart quite like a pair of cuddly otters! I loved working on this piece; there are so many colours involved just to create “brown” otters. I think most people would be surprised by how much purple I used in this piece.
Kelly Murphy, Fine Art 