Lucy Boydell

Among the rarest creatures in existence, the Wild Cattle of Chillingham have roamed the ancient parklands of Northumberland for centuries, untouched by human domestication. These extraordinary animals, both cow and bull, possess an almost spectral beauty. Their pale coats, illuminated by the fierce light of June, presented a captivating challenge in charcoal and chalk. One study in particular captured a moment of striking intimacy. The cow, gently exhaling, sent droplets shimmering in the light as they clung to the whiskers around her mouth. As the artist traced the complex structure of her face, observing the delicate contours of the nostrils and the way light settled across each fold and surface, a remarkable sense of closeness emerged. There was a moment when the observation became so immersive, it felt as though one were inhabiting the breath itself.