Archive Article: 1997/07/25

25 July 1997

FINELY detailed animal portraits are the speciality of artist Valerie Sails. Her parents are farmers and it was her love of animals that inspired her to paint.

"I am self taught and have been a professional artist since 1985," says Valerie from Bubwith, N Yorks. "Three years later I decided to concentrate on animal portraits and I find that pastels is the medium that works best for these, producing the detail and depth of colour I aim to achieve."

She works to commission and visits the subject to take photographs and find out the character of the animal. A full scene picture will cost around £1300. A smaller, single portrait, is £250. (01757-289118).