News | 28 November 2024

Meet The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition Judges

Catherine S Gunfield

Digital artist Catherine S Gunfield from Suffolk, owner of Angelic Print Boutique and Pony Creative.

Author of the ‘Pony Creative’ range of books, including the Pony Club approved Learning colouring books, Catherine also digitally sketches ‘Pony Portraits!.

“I have always loved painting mainly with acrylics and oil paints however a few years ago, and after having my little boy, I discovered digital sketching which you can do on your iPad! I love the no mess, no water etc and how easy it is to start a piece of artwork when feeling inspired”.

“There are so many different choices when it comes to how you may create your piece of artwork, use what makes you feel most comfortable and you enjoy the most. For example if you use colouring pencils at home or at school, because you enjoy using them, then choose those to create your artwork for this competition.”

Samantha Dadd

I’ve developed a passion for painting pet portraits and love nothing more than hearing how I’ve captured a pets expression or likeness.

I’ve experimented with various medium but found myself most comfortable with watercolour.  What first inspired me was when my mum gave me a watercolour painting of a horse and I just thought wow! It wasn’t your normal watercolour and the detail was fantastic.

Painting tips: be bold especially with shading as this can make a subject pop!

 

Tor Gloag

I am a full time pastel animal portrait artist based near Chipping Norton.

I have been doing animal portrait commissions since the age of 13 and enjoyed my several years at Art School after leaving school.

I have been around horses and dogs my whole life, and I am so privileged that my work is combined with my passion for animals and the countryside.

Our family has a long history with The Pony Club, Grandparents were DC’s in Yorkshire, I was a member of the Avon Vale and the Royal Artillery PC have 3 grown up children who were all members of the Heythrop Pony Club, one of which, Imogen has continued to make it her career and is Eventing professionally and has taken her Pony Club horse, Brendonhill Doublet at both Badminton and Burghley 5* and now runs her yard from home.

I’m really looking forward to seeing all your creations very soon.

Bonny Snowdon

Yorkshire born and bred, Bonny works from her studio at home in a village with views over the Moors and the White Horse of Kilburn.

Single mum to three relatively grown up children, three large dogs, one tiny dog and a crazy Maine Coon cat, Bonny has built her business around her core values of faith (knowing it will all be ok), community and kindness.

Having worked in corporate for nearly two decades, Bonny took up drawing in 2016, and very quickly made her mark as a realism artist, artists’ mentor and coach and now runs a thriving business teaching people all over the world how to draw with coloured pencils.

Lisa Wasilewski

I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember and horses were my first obsession. I studied art at GCSE but apart from that I am self taught and have developed my own style and techniques. I now create portraits of people’s beloved animals in pencil, coloured pencil and digital.

The key is practice, practice, practice! Even the best artists out there are always improving.

Faye Hobson

Hi, I’m Faye of Faye Hobson Illustration.

I mainly do commission caricature illustrations of various pets and their families, although horse are my preferred subject! I always look for the humorous side of their character, the facial expression is what it’s all about! I always find the grumpy or spooky horses are the most fun to draw!

My advice would be to really try and get the character showing in the facial expression, really focus on the eyes, good luck to everyone!

Marta Kempa

Originally from Poland, I am an art and communication studies graduate from Hamline University Liberal Arts College in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, with an MBA in Marketing. I moved to England in 2017 and currently work for the engineering company Arup.

My passion for horses began at age 4, when I first rode a little Shetland pony. By 8, I was taking professional art lessons. I’ve always loved animals and knew I wanted to paint them. What started as a side project—painting pet portraits—has become a lifelong pursuit.

One of the best pieces of advice I received at 8 years old was to always fill the entire page. The background is just as important as the subject matter. Start by planning the layout with a light pencil sketch rather than focusing on details right away. Once the basic contours are in place, you can gradually add more detail.
If you’re drawing or painting an animal, remember that the eyes are the key to telling its story—they bring the subject to life. Most importantly, enjoy the process and try not to overthink it!