Inspiration
Training in Theatre Design started my lifelong love of atmosphere, movement and drama. Pastels are my perfect medium, allowing me to simultaneously combine drawing and painting; making marks with energy, fluidity and precision.
In all of my work, I am interested in conveying what it feels like to be there, not just what it looks like. Developing my photography skills over the last few years has opened my eyes to ‘painting with light’ and has opened a new chapter in my work. My new atmospheric equestrian pieces are a search for subtle nuances in shape, light and colour around the exquisite forms of my models.
If you want to find out more about my (quite long) career in the arts, and my written publications, exhibitions and awards, read on!
Biography
Rebecca was born near Wolverhampton into a creative family. Her mother was an artist and teacher, her father an architect, her brother a painter.
After a Foundation Course at Wolverhampton University she gained a BA Hons in theatre design at Wimbledon School of Art . Her career has been colourful and varied to say the least. Rebecca has worked with some highly creative people, on some fascinating projects.
These include sculpting the famous ceiling in Harrods food hall and producing work for Warwick Castle Museum and Madame Tussauds.
Rebecca was design assistant to Kevin McCloud, and has worked with many of the top theatre designers including Tim Goodchild, Terry Parsons and the late Maria Bjornson. She has worked on West End shows including Aspects of Love, and Phantom of the Opera, specialising in paint finishes and has done post-production work for the BBC.
Rebecca has also illustrated 10 travel guides for Bradt Publications.
Rebecca’s theatre paintings includes dancers and actors in West End shows, including Gavin Lee as Bert in Mary Poppins at the Prince Edward Theatre, and the cast of Peter Pan at the Savoy Theatre.
Her dance work has been inspired by the exciting and talented dancers at Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom, and the breath-taking performers of English National Ballet.
Rebecca’s work has become widely known over recent years for its energy, life and movement. Now living in Devon, Rebecca paints horses, people, landscapes and architecture, always seeking out the atmosphere and emotion in her subjects. She teaches pastel courses, and demonstrates to art groups around the South West and South of England. Rebecca writes for Leisure Painter Magazine, for the SAA, and teaches online for ArtTutor.com. She and fellow pastel artist Nel Whatmore founded The New Pastel School in 2013, running courses in Yorkshire, Devon and Italy.
Rebecca’s book, ‘Pastels for the Absolute Beginner’ published by Search Press Publications is available now and you can buy a signed copy here.
Rebecca’s is an Associate member of the Society of Equestrian Artists, and was awarded ‘Best works by an Associate Artist’ in 2022.
She was shortlisted for the Artists and Illustrators, ‘Artist of the Year Award’ in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
She has exhibited with the Pastel Society at the Mall Galleries, and received the Yoshimoto Prize in 2024 for ‘Sunshine and Steam’, and 2 awards in 2023, for her piece ‘Through the Haze’; The Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award, and the Visitors Choice Award.
Awards and Competitions
2024 Won the Yoshimoto Prize at the Pastel Society 125th Annual Exhibition, for ‘Sunshine and Steam’. Awarded to ‘an outstanding piece of work by a non-member’
2023 Won 2 awards at Pastel Society Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London
– 2023 Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award
– 2023 Visitors Choice Award
2022 Awarded ‘Best Works by an Associate Artist’ at the Society of Equestrian Artists ‘Horse in Art Exhibition’ at the Sally Mitchell Gallery
2021 Bit Magazine, The Netherlands, July/August Edition
Shortlisted for International art competition, collaboration with Paardverzameld Collective and Bit Magazine
2019 Artist of the Year shortlist, exhibiting at the Mall Galleries
2018 Invited and accepted as an Associate Member of the Society of Equestrian Artists.
Exhibited with the Society annually from 2015 onwards
2018 Artist of the Year 2018 shortlist, exhibiting at the Mall Galleries, London
2017 Artist of the Year 2017 shortlist, exhibiting at the Mall Galleries, London
2016 Pastel Society Annual Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London
2015 Society of Equestrian Artists, Annual ‘Horse in Art’ Exhibition at the Sally Mitchell Gallery, Tuxford and the Osbourne Studio Gallery, London
2014 Patchings Exhibition, ‘Bramble’ painting accepted for the exhibition, Patching Art Centre
2013 Patchings Exhibition, ‘Freedom’ painting Highly Commended
Published Writing
Books
‘Pastels for the Absolute Beginner’, published by Search Press Ltd, is available to order here.
This book has also been translated into Czech and Chinese.
SAA 101 Top Techniques for Artists, contributed a project. David and Charles 2014
Cover illustration for Rowan the Exmoor Pony, by Dawn Westcott, published by Halsgrove, 2022
Magazines
2024
Pastel World Magazine, to be pub April 2024
An article on my atmospheric pastels of horses.
2023
SAA Magazine, Paint and Create
2021
Bit Magazine, The Netherlands, July/August Edition, Shortlisted for International art competition, collaboration with Paardverzameld Collective and Bit Magazine
2020
Paint and Draw Bookazines;
Paint and Draw Animals
Paint and Draw Collection
Leisure Painter Series
March 2020, Natural Texture
May 2020, Natural Form, Part 1, Rocks
June 2020, Natural Form, Part 2, Water
July 2020, Natural Form, Part 3, Skies
Summer 2020, Natural Form, Part 4, Trees
2019
Paint and Draw bookazine, ‘Paint and Draw Pastels’, several articles;
Capture Movement
Create Rocky Landscapes
Achieve Depth in Your Colours
Create Character and Texture (Arabian Horse Tutorial)
Start Using Colour Paper for Pastels
Add Drama to your Still Lifes
Lively Landscapes
Add Texture with Primers
Drawing with Pastels and Conte Crayons
Underpainting and Mixed Media
Leisure Painter Magazine
October 2019, Beachcomber Article, and book review
SAA Magazine, Received excellent book review!
2018
March 2018 SAA Paint Magazine, Painting dogs with pastels
July 2018, Leisure Painter Magazine, Painting Street Scenes with Pastels part 1
Summer 2018, Leisure Painter Magazine, Painting Street Scenes with Pastels part 2Autumn
2017
April 2017 Leisure Painter, Painting dogs with pastels series, part 1
May 2017 Leisure Painter, Painting dogs with pastels series, part 2
February 2017 Paint and Draw Magazine, Bite size articles
April to September 2017 Paint and Draw Magazine, 6 part series, ‘Mastering the Basics of Pastels’
October 2017 Paint and Draw Magazine, Masterclass article
2016
January 2016 SAA Paint Magazine, ‘Take Courage’, using bright backgrounds with pastels, part 1
February 2016 SAA Paint Magazine, ‘Take Courage’ using bright backgrounds with pastels, part 2
2015
January 2015 Leisure Painter, ‘Pastel Back Up’, using primers with pastels part 1
February 2015 Leisure Painter, Pastel Back Up’ using primers with pastels part 2
2014
January 2014 SAA Paint Magazine, ‘A Fleeting Moment in Time’, figure in pastels demo
April 2014 Leisure Painter, ‘Horse Sense’, horses and animals in pastels
May 2014 Leisure Painter, ‘Perfect Likeness’, portraits in pastels
2013
November 2013 SAA Paint Magazine, ‘Capturing Movement’, figures in pastels
2012
August 2012 Leisure Painter, ‘Dynamic Figures in Pastels’ series, Part 1
September 2012 Leisure Painter, ‘Dynamic Figures in Pastels’ series, Part 2
October 2012 Leisure Painter, ‘Dynamic Figures in Pastels’ series, Part