Heather Irvine is a professional equestrian, canine and wildlife artist working from her base in the south west of England.
She is an accomplished wildlife artist producing large scale charcoals and oils depicting African, American and British wildlife. Her work has been exhibited in England, USA, South Africa and Botswana where she was lucky enough to see at first hand many of the subjects she depicts. This work, in contrast to her tighter photographic portrait portrayals, is based around the senses and emotions and has it's roots firmly planted in expression and impression with loose brushwork and energetic strokes whilst retaining the feeling of presence and place. Sketching is at the forefront of all of Heather's pieces. Watching and observing wildlife in it's natural state always conveys many more nuances than a mere photograph can depict and although photography is a vital and useful tool in her work, Heather trys wherever possible to use photos only as a base and reference. Rather the work should flow and flurrish with it's own life on the canvas or paper - whatever happens then is instinct and lends itself to a far more organic and often lifelike artwork.
Heather has been painting portraits for over 15 years, with an emphasis on producing as true to life representation of character as possible in oils, oil pastels and charcoal. This can be photographic in nature, or more expressionist as her equine and canine charcoal images depict. These are all produced on an individual basis working closely with the clients preferred needs and likes.
Please feel free to browse through the different galleries for depictions of her work and information on each.
She is an accomplished wildlife artist producing large scale charcoals and oils depicting African, American and British wildlife. Her work has been exhibited in England, USA, South Africa and Botswana where she was lucky enough to see at first hand many of the subjects she depicts. This work, in contrast to her tighter photographic portrait portrayals, is based around the senses and emotions and has it's roots firmly planted in expression and impression with loose brushwork and energetic strokes whilst retaining the feeling of presence and place. Sketching is at the forefront of all of Heather's pieces. Watching and observing wildlife in it's natural state always conveys many more nuances than a mere photograph can depict and although photography is a vital and useful tool in her work, Heather trys wherever possible to use photos only as a base and reference. Rather the work should flow and flurrish with it's own life on the canvas or paper - whatever happens then is instinct and lends itself to a far more organic and often lifelike artwork.
Heather has been painting portraits for over 15 years, with an emphasis on producing as true to life representation of character as possible in oils, oil pastels and charcoal. This can be photographic in nature, or more expressionist as her equine and canine charcoal images depict. These are all produced on an individual basis working closely with the clients preferred needs and likes.
Please feel free to browse through the different galleries for depictions of her work and information on each.
