I started using coloured pencils in early 2024 after becoming frustrated with my own personal techniques when using watercolour to complete a pet portrait. I felt I was rushing sometimes to complete the painting so decided to move to coloured pencils. Coloured pencils seemed to me to be an ideal 'antidote' to working quickly or rushing, and I am using them to slow myself down a little, and to work in a much more measured and considerate way, to achieve the result that I am after. Even though my work portrays detail and realism, I am happy that the workings of my hand and my own artistic expression can sometimes show through and be visible to the viewer in the final piece.