Artist Portfolio

Martin Wardle-Rogers
Wildlife and Equine Artist

Born in Eastwood, Nottingham (1959), in the United Kingdom.

Now living and working in Lincolnshire, in the United Kingdom.

(1976-1979) Martin pursued a Higher Diploma in Graphic Design at Mansfield College of Art in Nottinghamshire, the United Kingdom.

(1979 – 1998) My career spanned the graphic design and printing industries, followed by ventures in business and community roles.

Junior Graphic Designer (1979-1985)

- Worked on various print and digital projects.

- Developed skills in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Graphic Designer (1985-1999)

- worked in the lithographic print industry (until 1995)

- Return to advertising agency work (1995 -1999)

- Led a team of designers.

- Managed large-scale projects for high-profile clients.

Since 2024, I’ve reignited my passion for art, focusing on equines and canines - a love rooted in my youth, owning horses and now training dogs.
This personal connection informs my detailed representations and commitment to capturing the essence of animals.

Unique Artistic Voice

Personal Connection: My passion for equines and wildlife adds emotional authenticity.
Versatility: Experience across diverse media, including watercolours, gouache, pastels, and coloured pencils.
Attention to Detail: Knowledge of animal anatomy enhances lifelike representations.
Continuous Growth: Exploring coloured pencils and a dedication to improvement keeping my work evolving.
Community Engagement: Participation in agility shows and animal events enriches my perspective.

Artist Philosophy

Art should be accessible to everyone and reflect the artist's soul. My work focuses on animals—wild and domesticated—celebrating their elegance, presence, and companionship. Through my art, I aim to increase awareness of their lives and environments, creating pieces that resonate with others.

Artistic Strategies

Storytelling: Each artwork tells a story, capturing the distinct characteristics of animals and their natural habitats.
Engagement: My art is designed to be accessible and personalised, fostering connections through commissions and online platforms.

My approach

I am a graphite and coloured pencil artist with a passion for equine and wildlife subjects.
Inspired by the beauty, behaviour and individuality of animals, I strive to create realistic artwork that goes beyond physical likeness, capturing the character, emotion and stories found within the natural world.

Every drawing is an opportunity to observe more closely, to understand more deeply, and to share that connection with others through the timeless medium of pencil.

My passion for equine and wildlife art began long before I picked up a pencil. Every drawing starts with careful research and observation, taking time to understand not only the anatomy and proportions of my subject, but also its behaviour, character and relationship with its environment. I study how natural light falls across the form, how shadows create structure, and how reflected light subtly influences the colours and textures within the coat or surrounding landscape.

Working primarily in graphite and coloured pencil, I build each drawing gradually through multiple layers, allowing detail, depth and atmosphere to develop with patience and precision. My aim is not simply to create a realistic likeness, but to capture a moment that tells a story and reveals something of the animal's true nature.

Underlying every piece are the five drawing principles taught by my mentor, Kate Jenvey—Design, Edges, Values, Accuracy and Practice (DEVAP). These principles provide the foundation of my work, guiding every stage of the drawing process while allowing creativity and observation to shape the finished artwork.

Whether drawing a horse in quiet contemplation or a predator displaying instinctive behaviour, my goal is always the same: to create artwork that invites the viewer to pause, observe, and connect with the remarkable lives of the animals we share our world with.

Samples of Artist Work

My drawings are made for people who see more in animals than form alone — people who recognise personality, spirit, and emotion in a horse’s gaze, a dog’s posture, or the stillness of wildlife.

I create detailed equine and wildlife art in graphite and coloured pencil, combining technical precision with a deep respect for the subject. Each piece is designed to feel intimate and lasting, whether it marks a beloved companion, celebrates the beauty of nature, or simply brings a sense of calm and connection into a home.

If you are drawn to art that feels thoughtful, lifelike, and emotionally resonant, I hope my work speaks to you.

Equine Sketches

I am not interested in NFT’s and therefore will ignore all requests relating to them.

A framed pencil drawing of a horse's head hanging on a white textured wall above a wooden table with art supplies, including paintbrushes in a white container and a terracotta pot, with a large leaf plant in the bottom left corner.

Series of Equine Anatomy Sketches all carried out using Graphite Pencils

A pencil sketch of the equine body, showing the muscle anatomy of the shoulders and chest are from different angles.

Pencil sketch of a horse's hind quarters, displaying the muscular structure vital for powering forward, view from side and back of horse.

A framed pencil sketch of a chestnut horse with a dark mane and bridle hanging on a textured white wall. Below the sketch, a wooden table holds two containers with paintbrushes and a wooden palette, next to some green leafy plants.

A framed painting of a young bay foal, drawn in coloured pencils, hanging on a textured white wall in an art studio. Below the painting, a wooden table holds two containers with paintbrushes, and an artist's palette.

Framed pencil sketch of a white horse with a light background hanging on a textured white wall above a wooden table, with art supplies and a leafy plant in front.

Pencil sketch of a pair of equine lower fetlocks to the hooves of an unshod horse.

A detailed pencil sketch of a horses ears and forelock, perfoirmed as a graphite anatomy sketch. Signed by the artist M.W. Rogers, 2025.

Pencil sketch of a underneath of an equine hoof, showing the bulky frog, sensitive sole as well as the heel of the foot. By artist Martin Wardle-Rogers

A framed pencil drawing of a horse wearing a bridle and a fly mask hangs on a textured wall. Below, a small wooden table holds a white container with paintbrushes, an orange cup with additional brushes, and a wooden palette.

Framed drawing of a horse's head drawn in coloured pencils hanging above a wooden dresser with a potted plant.

A detailed graphite sketch of an equines eye and surrounding facial features.

Pencil sketch of a horse's ears and part of its mane.

A framed black-and-white portrait of a horse hangs above a gray dresser with silver handles. A green potted plant in a textured blue pot and a floral bowl sit on the dresser.

A detailed pencil drawing of a horse framed on a wall above a wooden table with art supplies, including brushes in jars and a wooden palette.

A detailed pencil sketch of a face with one eye open and a tear falling, showing expressive emotional detail.

A detailed pencil drawing of a human ear, showing the intricate folds and curves.

Detailed graphite drawing of a person's eye with long eyelashes and partially closed eyelid.

A detailed pencil sketch of a horse's head with a bridle and a blindfold covering its eyes.

Wildlife Art

To see the finalists and support the cause, please click on the following link.
https://explorersagainstextinction.co.uk/initiatives/sketch-for-survival/sketch-for-survival-2026/sketch-for-survival-2026-finalists/

“The Moment Before”

Drawn entirely in graphite, The Moment Before captures the quiet intensity that precedes action. Perched high above the landscape, the cheetah remains perfectly still, every muscle poised and every sense focused on the world beyond the frame. Rather than depicting speed, the artwork celebrates patience, restraint and the extraordinary precision that defines this remarkable predator. Through carefully layered graphite, I sought to convey the subtle textures of the coat, the play of light across the form and the unwavering concentration that exists in the silence before movement. The piece invites the viewer to pause and appreciate that, in nature, the greatest power is often found not in motion, but in knowing exactly when to begin.

Martin is a member of the following:

“The Silent Descent”

Drawn entirely in graphite using a single 2B pencil on Saunders Waterford High White HP paper, The Silent Descent explores the quiet confidence and precision of one of nature's most accomplished predators. Rather than portraying speed or aggression, the artwork captures the measured control of a leopard moving with purpose, every step calculated and almost silent. The lowered posture, unwavering gaze and deliberate stride reveal an animal perfectly adapted to its environment, where patience and instinct are often more powerful than force. Working with a single grade of graphite allowed subtle tonal transitions to emerge through carefully layered marks, creating depth, texture and form while preserving the simplicity of the medium. My aim was not only to achieve realism, but to convey the calm intensity that defines the leopard's presence, inviting the viewer to pause and appreciate the quiet mastery behind every movement.

“Peek of Mischief”

Created in Polychromos coloured pencils from one of my own reference photographs, Peek of Mischief captures a fleeting moment in the early life of a young cheetah cub during a playful game of hide and seek with its siblings. What appears to be innocent play is, in reality, an essential part of development, where curiosity, coordination and confidence are nurtured through exploration and interaction. These formative experiences help shape the awareness and instincts that will one day become vital for survival. Through careful observation, I sought to portray not only the softness of the cub's coat and the warmth of the African light, but also the inquisitive expression that reveals its emerging character. The artwork celebrates the importance of play in the natural world, reminding us that even the most accomplished predators begin life with curiosity, discovery and moments of youthful mischief.

and is a friend of:

“Where Claws Leave Stories”

Rendered in coloured pencil, this artwork portrays a tiger marking a tree, an instinctive behaviour that sharpens its claws, communicates its presence, and defines its territory. The scars left on the trunk become a silent record of survival, strength, and an enduring connection to the wild. Every mark tells a story of an animal fulfilling ancient behaviours essential to its existence. Through careful observation, rich textures, and subtle use of light, the piece celebrates the majesty of this iconic predator while drawing attention to the fragile forests that sustain it. As tiger habitats continue to shrink under increasing human pressure, these natural signs become poignant reminders of what stands to be lost. This artwork invites viewers to appreciate not only the beauty and power of the tiger, but also the importance of protecting the landscapes where future generations can continue to leave their own stories behind.