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  • Firstly – I’d like to state that I am absolutely no expert in this area, I’m just sharing how I do it and what works for me. When scanning your work, it’s super important to get a good quality scanner, I have the Epson Perfection V550 Photo which I bought a good few years ago and it’s still going strong. It did cost me a couple hundred quid at the time but it’s been absolutely worth
  • Here we go guys, we’re getting serious in here! Please, if there’s any advice you take from me, be it this – LOOK AFTER YOURSELF! In early January 2020, I, like so many people made a few New Year’s Resolutions… one of which was to start creating different styles of work using other mediums so I could branch out of my comfort zone. My first series was floral letters in micron pen, A-Z and an
  • One of the most frequent questions I get is what on earth is a “giclée” print, closely followed by how on earth do you say it!? So, it’s pronounced ‘zhee-clay’ which originates from the French word ‘gicler’, which means “squirt/spurt/spray”, referencing how the ink is sprayed onto the paper to produce prints. Giclée printing uses a wider range of coloured inks which means there is a much broader colour range available to more accurately reproduce
  • I got this DM on instagram just now and it read “How can I become a professional in drawing in a short time?”, and I replied simply, “You can’t”. I must receive a version of this message a handful of times a week, so I’m writing this so next time I open a message and read those words I can link this blog post straight back to them and anyone else wanting to learn how
  • I’ve been drawing almost daily now for about 5 years, and there’s no greater pain then watching coloured pencils disappearing into rubbish sharpeners that snap and break leads and give a blunt point. For the detail orientated work I do, I love a long sharp point and finding a sharpener that not only lasts but gives you that glorious point time after time has been a long endeavour. I’d been buying the ‘KUM Automatic Long
  • I think we’ve all been there, looking at endless brands of pencils and having a bit of a cry at some of those prices! I’ve currently got four sets of professional coloured pencils and after a while you realise you DO NOT need full sets to make gorgeous artwork (…but if you can afford to, absolutely splash out!). So, here are my must-haves from each of the following brands; Faber-Castell Polychromos, Caran d’Ache Pablo and
  • I get asked a lot about how I begin my pet portraits – the initial stage is so important because the proportions and likeness can make or break the final piece, at the end of the day, I want it to look realistic and the client wants it to be a good representation of their pet! When I first began drawing, I would spend hours and hours free handing outlines and drawing out grids and
  •   As a small business, I do my absolute best to make sure that I’m doing my bit for the environment. Having started Cherry Watson Illustration in late 2017, I spent many an hour researching ways to safely package my work,  be that originals or prints for sale or posting overseas, since then I’ve managed to upgrade and swap out plastic and avoid using materials that aren’t recyclable or reusable to suitable eco-friendly alternatives. My
  • Hey hi hello! When I first got into coloured pencils in 2016, I spent SO LONG googling this, that and the other about what pencils, paper and sharpener was best. Hours and hours trawling through so much information and questioning artists, and then many pennies buying the stuff that was recommended to have a go myself. So to help out other aspiring coloured pencil artists, I’m going to do a quick list of things I
  • Let’s talk money! It’s an awkward and uncomfortable topic for many, and one I have to discuss often with potential clients so let’s just get stuck in!  I’m one of many, many small creative business’ who go to fetes and fairs, have market stalls and therefore get to interact with potential customers face to face, and it’s after one of these days where I’m writing this post . It is really wonderful to have people