Alex by Yvonne Chapman Brooks

Yvonne’s Artwork

0466 467 153
0466 467 153

Blog

What’s on my easel?

Spenser The past few months have been steady for commissions. I have been given some beautiful portraits to paint.  The first on is a beautiful boy called Spenser. Spenser was a 6 month old yearling, white with blue eyes and deaf. He was the sweetest boy who really loved life.  Unfortunately Spenser had a tragic accident which took his life, way too soon, and he is very missed by his family.  This is one of my first portraits to go to the USA after tariffs meant that we could no longer send to the USA via our “Australia post” service. I have found a way to now send to the USA, so look forward to being able to continue painting for my American clients.  Lean on me My second painting is of our two American Bulldogs,  Shadow and Charlotte, in their usual sleeping position, this is called “Lean on me” and is for my entry into the Pinjarra Rotary Art Exhibition, being held at the end of May.  I love the way Charlotte loves to stack on Shadow. Since her introduction to the family 2 years ago she had been so attached to her big brother. They are a perfect fit for each other too.  They play the same, sleep the same and have bonded to be a beautiful part of our family.  Jedda Jedda was a beautiful and courageous girl, who overcame many ailments that meant she had to wear custom made splints. She had chronic Achilles tendon ruptures, and avulsion form the bone on 3 occasions.  As a result the tendon became so poor  it resulted in a custom boot being made, this kept her leg straight, the other option was amputation. Jedda accepted the braces, and she lived a long happy life. Jedda is greatly missed by her family.  Blossom Blossom was a gorgeous chocolate Labrador and part of a group of dogs at the park, where we walk our dogs in Pinjarra. She died recently and we all miss her. Her collar with the pink rosette were a trade mark for Blossom. The group had a collection and commissioned me to paint this portrait for her Mum, and enough was raised for this to be framed and a small BBQ at the park to present this portrait to her Mum. It’s a beautiful portrait , showing her happy smile. I put some Apple blossom in the foreground as requested.  A blossom for Blossom.   Greycie Greycie the greyhound was a commission form a previous customer, they had another greyhound painted called Morrison.  Greycie was a beautiful soul, who loved to lie in her basket and watch the world go by. I thought she looked very regal with her paw over the side.  Greycie is missed by her family.  It is such a sad time when a loved pet dies. There never seems to  be enough time. After they leave us we allow ourselves to love another pet,  knowing we will be broken hearted again.  In the short time they are with us we love them, and they love us back, unconditionally. They are not replaced as they will remain in our hearts and our memories forever.  Between Hello and Goodbye, there is so much love.

Read More »

Paint your pet workshop. April 2026

Another pet portrait weekend workshop  was held last month, for 8 people, all of whom have attended my workshops in the past. It was a beautiful warm weekend, and fun was had by all.The first day consists of preparing the portrait, and drawing the subject onto pre stretched watercolour paper.  Some of the attendees chose to have me pre stretch for them, I usually have boards of pre stretched Arches 300gms watercolour paper, in case the weather is wet or humid,  which would mean the paper would take much longer to dry properly.    Day 1 I provide acetate grids with 2cm squares marked, large enough to cover an A4 photograph.  The pre stretched paper is divided in to 2.5cm, (or 1 inch) squares which enlarges the image to fit a 12×16 inch, or roughly A3 size.  I do suggest that the grid and portrait be sketched using a 2B pencil. Anything harder,  especially for the grid, leaves indents in the paper which can be visible when painted.  The grid lines are drawn really feint as these have to be fully erased using a kneadable putty rubber,  once the sketch is complete. There is nothing more annoying that painting a beautiful portrait only to see grid lines still visible.  After a break for lunch, we begin painting the background, using a wet on wet technique,  and the  bright colours seen in my portraits.  day 2 Day two starts early again as there is a lot to do. The next step, once the backgrounds have been completed and are totally dry, is to start the subject. I suggest starting with the light colours and highlighted areas of the portrait first. for white fur areas we start with the pale blue shading as this really crisps up any white fur. In coloured fur start with the lightest parts where the light hits the subject. There is a lot to take in during this process, the colours used, are not the usual colours, I like to give students the chance to play with the colours using a warm and cool palette, the warm colours are for the highlights and the cool colours for the shadow.  The layering of colours build up the shadow areas, and instead of black, purple and indigo are used.  There are tricks to getting the eyes to look glassy,  we leave the eyes until the body and head are completed and totally dry.Finally the white work, using titanium white gouache, is used for the white reflection in the eye and whiskers, or to scruff up white fur,  and finally pen  work. A gentle outliner or to accentuate fur direction and movement.     As you can see the results are fantastic. Everyone goes home with a portrait to be proud of.  If you are interested in attending a workshop,  or having me host one for you, please contact me through this website,  or via my Facebook page.  

Read More »

What is on my Easel?

This month I have a selection of watercolours to add. The first is the Red roo joey “Debo” from the Kangaroo Sanctuary Alice Springs. This image was used in my textile piece of the same name “Big shoes to fill” with reference to the size of the feet and also the size these Kangaroos grow to be.  I loved this image when I saw the photo. I have painted several kangaroos over the last decade for several different art awards. This painting will be on display at the Shire of Harvey Art Prize, in Harvey, Western Australia, on the 4th March 2026. The theme was “From the land, From the heart” so my statement read that I love the pindan colours of the Australian outback, and what could represent the outback more than a red Kangaroo. My passion is animal portraiture so this image reflects both.  Here is another example of my love for Kangaroos. This gorgeous image was with permission from a reference photo by Marian Fenton Crawford, a West Australian wild life photographer. It was such a cute photo, I loved painting this one. Usually with my watercolours there is some penwork over the top, but this one I decided not to. I rather liked the softness of the fur. There are several layers to this painting, seen mostly on the white chest.  This painting will be on sale at the Cellar at Vineyard 28 Another popular image for Western Australia is the Splendid Blue Fairy Wren. A tiny bird with a magnificent colour, as they fly past it is like seeing a jewel glint in the sunlight.  These always prove to be a very popular subject with artists and photographers.  This painting will be on sale at the Cellar at Vineyard 28. This subject is one I have painted and sewn on many occasions. After a bushfire this area of bush was a bloom with wildflowers and new growth on the Australian grass trees. I took many photographs as reference, and have taught Free Motion Sewing Workshops using these images. I have still managed to include a spattering of the Windsor and Newton Bengal Rose, you can see it in the trunks of the trees. 

Read More »

What’s on my easel?

What is on my easel this month? It has been a busy month with a workshop and commissions, and these are three of the ones I have finished.      Mike the Greyhound This is Mike, a stunning Black greyhound looking especially smart in his bow tie.  This commission was given as a gift and the recipients decided this image of Mike was perfect for painting. The owners wanted a tonal background so I used Phthalo Blue, Bamboo Green, Dioxazine Purple and a splash of lemon Yellow.  I applied water using a mop brush to the background, then applied the paint liberally onto the wet surface,  I splash the colours over each other to help the colours blend,  the paper at this point it is very wet and glossy,  I wait for the paint to dry slightly to a “satin sheen,” then splash clean water. I do this several times, each time applying less and less water. The main subject is painted when  the background is completely dry. I use my usual colours for the black pets, a mix of Phthalo Blue, Dioxazine Purple, Bamboo Green, Lemon Yellow, a hint of Red Gold, Bengal Rose and Daniel smiths Quinacridone Purple and indigo Santa’s Little Helper Christmas is just around the corner so I have designed my 2025 Christmas card, and will be be adding it to my Facebook page, for preordering. I miss my “Little Bird,” Daisy, so she graces the cards again this year. I would give anything for one more Christmas with her, she was such a beautiful little soul.  If you would be interested in buying some Christmas cards this year please let me know. You can message me using the contact commissions form, or email yvonnechapman841@gmail.com They will be sold in packs of 6 for $18 AUD plus postage. The Old Swan Brewery, Perth foreshore, Western Australia The Old Swan Brewery is a heritage building that sits on the Swan River, just under Kings Park in Perth. No longer a  brewery, but is now used as apartments.  This Acrylic on canvas commission   was fun to paint, using bright colours, as requested.  I used low tack masking tape to help  maintain the straight lines, which made it much easier to paint. I don’t do buildings often so it made a nice change to paint such a landmark.   

Read More »

“Paint your pet” workshop August 2025

What a great way to spend a weekend 5 ladies attended my latest workshop, in my studio in Pinjarra WA. The workshop runs from 9.30 am to 4pm both days. The first day was warm and sunny but the second day the weather turned wet and windy.  Our first day was supposed to cover stretching paper to use for the weekend, but as the forecast wasn’t looking great, I pre stretched some Archers 300gm paper onto MDF boards for the ladies to use. One lady used a Langton Watercolour block in a 12 x 16 size, I use these blocks too, being gummed on all sides with just a 2 inch gap for separating the paper after use, they are convenient to use without having to stretch the paper. , Day 1: Drawing and background Day 1 starts with the drawing using a grid to enlarge an A4 photograph up to and A3/ A2 size painting.  The grid is a very useful tool for this purpose creating an accurate image, that is proportionally correct to the photograph.   All the backgrounds on these images are fantastic. This is a challenging workshop, the artist has to work with a completely different technique than they are used to, plus use colours in a very bold and bright way.  They have to think about which colours will work together side by side, as some colours do not mix well with others,  plus learning how the warm and cool colours will affect the finished painting.  Day 2: painting the subject Now the fun starts. Day 2 is very full on with a lot of work to do. Using my warm and cool colour technique to create highlights and shadows, they begin to paint the subject. I do not expect them to go home having mastered this way of painting, it has taken me years to develop my style, and it is constantly being tweaked and adapted as my paintings are created. At first they are nervous to make a start, but with plenty of guidance they all create such wonderful images. Suddenly the bold and bright backgrounds are no longer the main focus as the subject emerges.  Another workshop completed and 5 very happy students have taken away paintings they can all be very proud of. My aim in these workshops is to give the student the opportunity to play with colour and to learn that there are so many colours you can use to create the  finished painting, even if they never use these colours like this again, just learning that black dogs, for example, are not just black, but blue, purple, green even pink, that white can also have pale tones of blue and purple in its shadows.  If you are interested in attending a workshop or if you have a group that wish to attend,  let me know via my contact commission form.

Read More »
My Therapist

Reflection

Painting reflective surfaces in watercolour I love a challenge almost as I love “My Therapist,” A Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe that I have called Dixie.  I have painted this , and other Harley’s in acrylic, so I used watercolour this time.  The process is the same as any of my artworks, grid up a photograph for the sketch, and then I paint one small piece at a time. As the engine is the hardest and most visually complicated part I start there first.  By concentrating on a small area at a time I can paint what I see, not what I think I should see. It is very easy to get distracted, and often I don’t actually see what is in the reflection until I look from a distance. For the chrome I use a mix of Art spectrum (AS) indigo, and a wash of AS Lemon yellow that I have dirtied with a tiny but of purple to make a brown tint, and diluted. There is also some AS Phthalo blue and a hint of Holbein Bamboo green, the black is a mix of Dioxazine purple and indigo.  The tank is Windsor and Newton Cobalt blue light, in places with a Phthalo blue mix.  This bike doesn’t have chrome but has a lot of shiny painted surfaces, the red was Daniel Smith Deep Scarlet and Pyrrol red, with a hint of Quinacridone red to create the crimson colouring. I had to change the back of the seat to add the red cover after I had painted the seat, as the client requested it be added, this was not  the easiest thing to do, as the paint has a staining quality that can be hard to remove.  Luckily the painted area did lift a little with water, but some of the staining remained, so the back cover is not quite the brilliant red of the tank.  Not just motorbikes Now this commission was a challenge.  My art journey included a BA hons degree in Graphic Design, so Typography was something we covered, and something I don’t do very often.  This was commissioned as a gift for the sponsor of the car, Geo Tech, and this was made up from a couple of different photographs, and to add a degree of extra difficulty, from different angles. Luckily both client and recipient were very happy with the result.  The Series 2 SS Holden Commodore was a commission for a friends Husband. This was one of the last cars produced in Australia by Holden, hence the  number plate 1OVTHELST.  I enjoyed this commission but had to brighten the photograph to see any subtle details in the paint work. when I had painted the bonnet it looked really abstract, I had to remind myself, paint what you see.  The best part was painting the side of the car, that hint of green in the indigo worked perfectly.  My colours were Indigo (AS) Bamboo Green (Holbein)and the browns made from Australian Red gold (AS) and Dioxazine Purple, (WN) with some Phthalo blue (AS) and Cobalt blue light (WN)

Read More »

Going Incognito for a great cause

This year was the first year I have entered the Incognito Art Show. An amazing 20,000 pieces of art were submitted this year! three of them were mine. Every piece of artwork is A5 in size and is sold for just $100. Profits raised go towards funding programs, supporting artists working with disabilities.  There are some very famous prize winning and very well known artists in this show, but that’s the beauty, you don’t know whos art you have until you have bought it. “Our mission… To support arts organisations / To provide emerging artists with professional pathways / To inspire and develop a new generation of art collectors and supporters. The Incognito Art Show is a not-for-profit organisation supporting Australian artists. We run Australia’s biggest and most inclusive art show. “   Give it a go! With this in mind I was eager to have a go. I realised that with so many art works on show, in one place and online, the art had to be bright enough to stand out on first glance, be a recognisable subject that would appeal to a wide audience, be well executed, and a good example of my individual style. So my subjects were easy. Firstly there had to be a greyhound, as greyhound lovers tend to be drawn to art with a greyhound on it, and why not!So my first image was Otis in his sunny spot.  Being A5 in size the detail was important to me. I used watercolours,  gouache and pen on my finished Image. Second was a Tiger. I love painting tigers, their colours and markings are so beautiful,  and they also appeal to a wide audience.  I have painted this close up tiger face before on an A2 size.  This time I added splashes of gold Alcohol inks to catch the light. With this intense stare it is a hard image to ignore. Thirdly, “The head tilt” a beautiful brown and tan Kelpie. Kelpies have a wide appeal in Australia,  the ultimate working dog and loved family pet. Their keenness to work and eager to please attitude makes them a firm favourite. I have painted many kelpies in the last decade or so, some examples were prize winners for me too, so third choice was an easy pick. This one also had that splash of gold alcohol ink to catch the light. So, how did I go? Otis and “The Sunny spot” sold on the first day! My other two sold in the first three days. I was thrilled to be able to contribute to this show and ecstatic they all sold for this great cause.Next year I will encourage more of my students to enter and get a “group pack”. My process will be the same, bright and well executed artwork, plus an appealing well known subject.

Read More »

Yvonne Chapman-Brooks

Biography   I was born in the UK in 1962 and have been painting all my life.  After leaving school at 16 I went to art college for 2 years then onto Lanchester Polytechnic, (now Coventry University) in Coventry UK, where I completed a 3 year BA(hons) course in Graphic design, finishing in 1983….pre computers! In 1983 on leaving Polytechnic, jobs were scarce, in 1985 I started my State Registered Nursing at Leighton Hospital in Cheshire. This nursing role took me to Australia in 1989.  Sadly  ill health meant I and had to leave nursing, so I concentrated on my art as a hobby. I used pastel and acrylics as my main  mediums, then began including textiles in 2009. My hobby and passion is my art, and around 2013 I started exploring watercolours, my specialty is pet portraiture, animal paintings and recently tree-scapes. I am known for my very vibrant colours. I have been sending my pet portraits worldwide now for several years and have won prizes for my art in Art Exhibitions in WA. I have given workshops in my rainbow colour theory technique. I am the Artist in residence at Vineyard 28 in Harvey, Western Australia. Painting and textile workshops I also work with textiles and have won awards in the USA and Australia for my art quilts. I specialise in thread painting and have held workshops in this technique. My watercolour workshops are a perfect way to explore the watercolour medium beyond the normal parameters of colours, by using the vibrant colours seen in my portraits. The techniques used to create the signature background of my work are demonstrated, along with the stretching of watercolour paper, and drawing from a photo using a grid. There is a materials list of requirements, paints, brushes etc if you would like to do a workshop with me. The workshops are held over two days as there is a lot to learn, and in groups of 6 to 8 people. I can come to you if you are a group that would like to have a visiting tutor. There is a fee for travel and accommodation.  The following paintings shown are students work, so far no one goes home without a painting they are proud of, and an idea of how bright colours can work to create highlights and shadows.   Textile workshop students I have held a couple of textile workshops and demonstrations in Perth, for various groups of ladies who want to have a try at Free motion sewing.  They are held over an 8 hour day as there is quite a lot of ground to cover. They leave with having experienced the basics of how to reach a finished image using just straight and zigzag stitching.  Below is my finished “Out of the Ashes” that they are using as reference for this workshop. Tree scape workshop Some examples of student paintings at the Tree Scape workshop.  If you would like to attend or enquire about me hosting a workshop for you please contact me using the commission request, or email yvonnechapman841@gmail.com

Read More »

A look back over 2024

Well as we say goodbye to 2024 and hello to 2025! I would like to wish you all a very happy New year. Thank you all for you continued support for my artwork, and for those who entrusted me with creating a loving memory or portrait of your pets, (several this year went overseas to the USA) A big thank you to all of you. As I look back on the last 12 months we have seen some sad changes in the Brooks household, the main one being the loss of our beautiful Greyhound, Daisy. Daisy was my muse for over 11 years, and she will be greatly missed. Luckily, I have several paintings of her dotted around the house, along with Otis who we lost at the end of 2023, so they will always be looking over us. The last year started with my shoulder surgery which meant no art for nearly 4 months, then the creation of my art quilt for the Australian Quilt Challenge “Oh my stars” where my quilt was selected as a finalist to tour the Eastern States.  It has now returned and is hanging on my wall alongside “Saving Magic” It is great to see them daily hanging together. I ran a couple of workshops last year and will be planning a couple for this year too. Watch this space or follow my Facebook page for details. https://www.facebook.com/@YvonnesArtwork/ Cossack Art Awards this year was another good exhibition for me too, with a sale and a Pilbara Ports People Choice award, for “When the working day is done,” that was a wonderful award to win and one of my best paintings for the year. It is too hard to choose a best piece or best portrait as I love doing all of them.  I have a couple to do for the New year, and a few for home and for sale at the cellar door at Vineyard 28 I look forward to sharing them with you on my website and on my Facebook page. Have a very safe, prosperous, and healthy 2025 everyone.

Read More »