TRACY WARNER | 3RD PLACE, 2024 DRAWINGS COMPETITION
3rd Place Winning Entry, 2024 Drawings Competition
Tracy Warner, Mischief Managed, colored pencil
Tracy Warner
Based in the Northamptonshire countryside in the U.K., Tracy Warner is an award-winning wildlife artist whose realistic colored pencil drawings are captivating expressions of her passion for animals. Warner was a finalist in Explorers Against Extinction's Sketch for Survival Wildlife 100 in 2021, 2022, and 2023 and is a member of the Association of Animals Artists. We asked her a few questions about her art.
Tracy Warner, ocelot cub, colored pencil
What inspires you to draw big cats and other wildlife?
I have a passion for conservation, and I want to raise awareness of the threats facing wildlife and ecosystems across the world. I use my art to highlight these animals. I also donate artwork to various conservation charities where they are sold or auctioned to raise money for front line conservation projects.
Being able to make a difference through my artwork is one of my greatest drivers for creating art. I've spent quite a bit of time drawing big cats because so many are significantly threatened, and also because they have such colorful, mesmerizing, and detailed eyes which I love to draw. I want to bring out that beauty in my work.
Tracy Warner, Left: African lion, pencil. Right: Savanah Scout, colored pencil.
What made you choose pencil/graphite as your medium of choice?
I bought my first set of colored pencils five years ago. I had painted before that but was never able to get the level of detail I wanted. With pencils, I'm able to layer, blend, and create very fine details in my work. I also like the challenge of changing people's preconception of colored pencils, which have been seen as a lesser art medium in comparison to oils for example. However, this view is changing. You'll find colored pencil art in many art galleries now.
You often draw on black backgrounds; what appeals to you about that?
I like the contrast of drawing onto a dark surface and how the artwork can appear from the darkness or fade back; the artwork can stand out against a black background; I enjoy using black as a negative space and working the lighter layers around it; and when I want to add feeling and drama, I find darker surfaces can help me with this.
All artwork © Tracy Warner, shared with permission.