About Mandy

I'm Mandy, a commission-based pastel portrait artist based in Cornwall. For 34 years I've been drawing the animals and people that matter most to the people who love them — working from your own photo to create a hand-drawn portrait that lasts a lifetime.

A love of art that never left

I taught myself to draw — starting with everyday HB pencils, then moving through soft pastels until I discovered Pastelmat, a textured surface that transformed the way I work. After a break of a few years away from art, I came back to drawing and remembered immediately why I'd always loved it. That feeling has never left.

Every portrait I create is made on 360gsm Pastelmat using a combination of Pan Pastels, soft pastels, and pastel pencils. It's a slow, careful process — but that's exactly the point. A portrait is a permanent thing, and it deserves to be made that way.

What I do

I specialise in pet portraits — dogs, cats, horses — though I also take commissions for people and family portraits. Each piece starts with a photo you send me. From there I draw what I see: the shape of an ear, the softness around an eye, the particular way your dog holds its head. It's not just likeness I'm after — it's personality.

During the process I'll send you a work-in-progress image for your approval before I finish. You can ask for adjustments at that stage. I want you to love what you receive.

What clients say

"Mandy has absolutely blown me away with her portrait of my girlfriend's dog. I cannot describe the reaction of everyone who sees it. Well beyond anything I expected."

— Philip Barrett

"So talented. Had us in tears when we saw the portrait... captured her perfectly. Thank you."

— Rob 73

"Fantastic and highly realistic — I could not rate Mandy highly enough. I have commissioned two portraits and both are beautiful."

— Anna Ashton

"Could not believe the quality of the portrait received. Absolutely amazing."

— Laura Ash

"Extremely talented lady. Great price too."

— Sara Carter

Commission a portrait

If you'd like to commission a portrait — whether it's a beloved pet, a family member, or a gift for someone special — I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch by email at mjportraits10@gmail.com or through the contact form on this site, and we'll talk through what you have in mind.

Portraits are shipped across the UK by recorded post, and each one comes ready to frame.