Claire Yates

Claire Yates – Pastel Artist

I am an English pastel artist living in Spain, specialising in animal and pet portrait commissions.

Born into an artistic family in 1973 and raised in West Bromwich near Birmingham, I have had a keen interest in art since I was first able to hold a pencil. I hold a BA (Hons) in Printed Textile Design and a National Diploma in General Art & Design.

I have lived on the south coast of Spain since 2000 but remain an active member and website assistant for The Association of Animal Artists UK. I am also an Associate Member of The Pastel Guild of Europe, and I regularly participate in various competitions with Art and Color 365 Magazine. In the past, I have been a member of The Birmingham Watercolour Society, Wolverhampton Society of Artists, and Worcester Society of Artists.

My paintings are illustrative and observational, and I tend to paint subjects that genuinely inspire me. My favourite subjects, of course, are animals — I especially love capturing the eyes and texture of the fur. In the past, I have also explored themes such as fruit and rust paintings. I observe the world obsessively, fascinated by how things look and what makes them unique.

With every piece I create, I hope to improve. Although I’ve been drawing since childhood, I’ve never felt fully confident in my art — that sense of striving keeps me motivated to push my skills further and closer to the perfect painting (which, I hope, never quite arrives!).

My preferred medium is pastel and pastel pencil on Clairefontaine Pastelmat Paper, which allows me to achieve vibrant colours and a natural softness in fur textures.

Awards and Recognition

Finalist – David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year 2022
Finalist – The SAA Artists of the Year 2024
Finalist – Sketch for Survival 2024
3rd Place – Art and Color 365 Pastels Competition 2024
2nd Place – The Gillian Turner Aldridge Prize, Birmingham Watercolour Society 2021