Collection: Clare Parkes

Introduction

What makes Clare Parkes art truly original is her meditative, almost hypnotic use of countless intricate pastel pencil strokes to create hyper-realistic wildlife portraits that seem to breathe with personality — turning each animal’s gaze, fur texture and subtle expression into an intimate, emotional encounter.

From powerful predators and majestic birds to inquisitive small mammals, Clare Parkes artwork celebrates the individual character and beauty of wildlife with astonishing detail and lifelike presence. Clare Parkes art and Clare Parkes prints are prized for their ability to forge a powerful connection between viewer and subject, bringing the wonder of the natural world into any space.

Biography

Clare Parkes is a contemporary British wildlife artist celebrated for her hyper-realistic pastel pencil drawings. From childhood, she showed a strong passion for art, spending hours copying illustrations from Disney books and encyclopaedias. Art was the subject that truly inspired her at school, leading her to study for a degree in Fine Art, where she initially created large-scale contemporary oil paintings.

After graduating in 2008, she worked in the art sector, including as a wax figure painter at Madame Tussauds, where she deepened her appreciation for intricate detail and realism. While on maternity leave in 2018, she discovered pastel pencils and began exploring wildlife art, inspired by artists she saw on social media. What started as a creative outlet quickly became a profound calling, with drawing serving as a form of meditation.

Clare now specialises in capturing the unique character, textures, colours and expressions of animals. She is a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists and has received recognition including Highly Commended awards in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition. Based in the UK, she continues to create work that fosters a deep emotional connection between people and the natural world.

Achievements

• Wildlife Artist Recognition: Highly Commended in the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition in multiple years, including for pieces such as “Wolf By Moonlight” and “Into the Darkness”.
• Signature Pastel Technique: Developed a highly detailed, meditative approach using pastel pencils that brings remarkable lifelike quality to Clare Parkes artwork.
• Exhibition Success: Work selected for prestigious exhibitions including the Federation of British Artists’ 60th anniversary show at the Mall Galleries.
• Society Membership: Member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, recognising her contribution to the field.
• Collector Demand: Original Clare Parkes paintings and prints are sought after for their emotional depth and technical excellence.
• Personal Journey: Successfully transitioned from large-scale oils and commercial art work to a dedicated fine art practice focused on wildlife during maternity leave in 2018.

Clare Parkes Artwork & Prints

Clare Parkes artwork focuses on powerful, intimate wildlife portraits. Majestic wolves, inquisitive squirrels, elegant big cats, barn owls and many other species are rendered with extraordinary realism and emotional presence. Each piece highlights individual character — a defiant gaze, soft fur texture or alert expression — inviting viewers to connect deeply with the animal.

Created primarily with layered pastel pencils, her originals showcase incredible detail and lifelike quality. Clare Parkes prints, available as limited editions, preserve this same impact and beauty, making her celebrated wildlife art more accessible to collectors who wish to bring the wonder of nature into their homes.

Artistic Style & Technique

Clare Parkes’s artistic style is hyper-realistic yet deeply expressive, specialising in wildlife portraiture. She works predominantly with pastel pencils, building form through countless intricate strokes that capture subtle textures, colours, patterns and the unique personality of each subject. Her technique allows for remarkable depth and a sense of life that makes animals appear almost tangible.

Drawing serves as a meditative process for Clare, enabling her to focus on fine details while conveying emotion and character. The eyes are often a focal point, creating a direct and engaging connection with the viewer. This careful, layered approach results in Clare Parkes art that is both technically accomplished and emotionally resonant, celebrating the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.