CLAIRE YATES | 3RD PLACE
2024 PASTELS COMPETITION
3rd Place Winning Entry, 2024 Pastel Competition
Claire Yates, Majesty in Motion, pastel
Claire Yates
Claire Yates is an award-winning English artist based in Spain. She creates realistic paintings in diverse genres including still lifes, florals, portraits, and her favorite, animals.
She is a member of the Association of Animal Artists UK, and an Associate Member of the Pastel Guild of Europe. Her striking work has earned many awards including Finalist in the 2024 Explorers Against Extinction Sketch for Survival Competition and Finalist in the 2022 David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Artist of the Year. We asked Yates a few questions about her work.
Claire Yates, The Silent Observer, pastel
What are the qualities of pastels you enjoy most?
Pastels are my top choice. When I’m working on animal portraits, pastels are perfect to recreate the look of fur. Also, they give me vibrant color, and I love the layering process that lets you achieve depth of colors and textures. The choices available now are amazing — pastel sticks, pencils, pan pastels, and so on.
Claire Yates, Waiting, pastel
What inspired your work, “Majesty in Motion,” and where did you find the reference image?
Majesty in Motion is one of my favorite pieces to date. I took the reference photo myself at Bioparc Fuengirola, a local zoo. I visit whenever I need inspiration, am looking for a specific animal to paint, or just need to recharge my batteries. I’ve taken thousands of photos, but I especially love the big cats — their grace, the way they move. It takes patience to wait at the enclosure long enough to capture the perfect pose. With Majesty in Motion, I managed to catch the tiger walking toward me and looking straight into the camera.
Claire Yates, Captive Dragon, pastel
Can you tell us what animal charities you’re involved with?
I have always felt a connection with animals. I have a deep love for them and they can sense that, so naturally I’m glad I can help them through my art. The Association of Animal Artists UK and its members support a different animal welfare and wildlife conservation charity every year through donations from fundraising events.
For example, artist members (such as myself) create artwork to be sold with proceeds going to the charity, or we take part in online exhibitions where the entrance fees go to the organization. I’m also involved with a group of volunteers that regularly feeds and neuters feral cat colonies. There are so many ways to help.
All artwork © Claire Yates, shared with permission.