Ian Harrison Artist sat drawing in a Nottingham street

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I have always produced art from a very young age in many forms starting with graphite sketching and moving onto watercolour and acrylic paintings. A few years ago I decided to spend more time working on art and by chance attended a coloured pencil botanical workshop. This was a lightbulb moment and opened a whole new chain of thought of opportunities. I now specialise in drawing with coloured pencils.

I love the fine detail you can create and the ability to control and correct the media on the paper. But most of all I love the ability to draw in a style of realism.

My drawings take 20 to 30 hours to complete so you spend a long time studying every fine detail. It’s only when you start to draw an animal and take the time to carefully observe and contemplate it that you fully understand it’s complexity and beauty.

I decided I didn’t want to draw just to put it in a drawer. I wanted to find a way to share what I was doing and give my work a purpose. I decided to start a business creating and selling art. The past few years have been amazing and extremely satisfying.

I enjoy it every time someone gets pleasure from a piece of my art and this is especially the case with pet portraits because of the emotional attachment of the person commissioning the portrait. It’s a wonderful feeling when you witness the joy and emotion as you present the finished portrait. The emotions are heightened when the portrait is in memoriam, and you have helped a little to immortalise their loyal companion.

I hope my art gives you as much pleasure as it gives me during its creation, and it delights me to have the opportunity to share it with you.