About Us

Meet Me, Carol Leather

What sparked my lifelong passion for drawing? Watching my Mum bring beautiful horses to life with just a few swift strokes of her pen or pencil.

Sadly, many of those spontaneous sketches, hastily drawn on the back of envelopes or cheap notepads, have yellowed and crumbled with age. Time may have taken its toll on those early creations, but the memories remain intact.

What's the most important lesson I can share with you on this site?

Perhaps it's the importance of investing in good quality, acid-free paper and lightfast pencils, even for casual sketching. These simple choices can make all the difference in ensuring your artwork stands the test of time.

So, what qualifies me to offer this advice?

With over three decades of experience as a coloured pencil artist, I've developed a deep understanding of the techniques and best practices that can help artists improve their craft.

Through my journey, I've refined my skills by experimenting with various coloured pencil brands , techniques, and styles – knowledge that I'm eager to share with you.

Over the years I've been fortunate to learn from experts like David Dooley, Sandra Angelo, John Middick, Bonny Snowdon, and Lisa Ann Watkins. Their innovative approaches and insights have greatly influenced my work and refined my skills.

In 2020, I had the privilege of being interviewed by Carrie Lewis for her esteemed Colour Pencil Magic magazine, where I shared my expertise through an exclusive tutorial.

That same year, my artwork received a Highly Commended award in the Nature section of the UK Coloured Pencil Society's 19th Annual Open Exhibition. This recognition from industry peers validated my dedication to mastering coloured pencil techniques. If you are a member you can see the results of the exhibition here.

The crowning achievement came when my art was handpicked as one of the 100 featured artists in Volume 7 of Ann Kullberg's prestigious annual publication, Color Pencil Treasures.

In August 2021 was honoured to create a tutorial, of a pair of swans on the nest, for Ann Kullberg's esteemed Color magazine.

My swans tutorial featured in Color magazine

An offer I couldn't refuse!

In 2020 Peter Weatherill, a talented artist and friend, approached me with an intriguing proposal: take the reins of his 10-year-old 'baby', Pencil Topics.

I was delighted to accept, knowing that our diverse subject matter expertise would provide you, as the reader, with a unique chance to learn from two distinct perspectives.

Our Founder, Peter Weatherill

Peter Weatherill, the visionary behind Pencil Topics, revolutionised the art world by helping to take coloured pencils from a childhood novelty to a respected fine art medium.

After retiring from banking, he dedicated his efforts to sharing his expertise and creating a treasure trove of information that would inspire others.

As an accomplished artist skilled in various mediums, including soft pastel, acrylics, watercolours, and graphite, Peter discovered that coloured pencils offered unparalleled precision and control for his stunning landscapes and still life drawings. This realization further fueled his passion for promoting coloured pencils as a serious artistic tool.

Peter's influence extended beyond his own artistry; he spent three years as Chairman of the UK Coloured Pencil Society, conducting demonstrations and workshops for art societies and manufacturers alike.

Additionally, he taught art courses at Knuston Hall in Northamptonshire for over 12 years, inspiring countless students to explore the possibilities of coloured pencils.

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