Former Milton Keynes art teacher publishes book inspired by a career helping others discover their creativity
After teaching in Milton Keynes schools and working with many disadvantaged pupils, artist Becky Gouverneur brings her practical approach to drawing animals in a new book.
A former art teacher who worked in schools across Milton Keynes before building a career as a professional artist is preparing to share her expertise with a wider audience through her first published book.
Becky Gouverneur, known professionally as BexArts, taught art in several Milton Keynes schools with many pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, before moving into full-time art. She also taught in a prison, experiences that strengthened her belief in the value of creative opportunities for people from all backgrounds.
Her book, Drawing Animals in Charcoal: Create realistic animal portraits with depth, expression and texture, will be published by Search Press on 12 January 2027. It brings together 12 years of professional experience creating detailed animal portraits and teaching others how to achieve convincing results with charcoal.
Becky has always been passionate about making art accessible. Her teaching background has influenced the book's structured, practical approach, breaking down the process of creating realistic animal drawings into manageable stages.
“I've always loved teaching people something they didn't think they could do,” says Becky. “You don't have to be naturally gifted or know all the tricks before you start. If you understand the process and give yourself time to practise, you can surprise yourself.”
Becky's route to becoming a full-time artist was shaped by a deeply personal experience. While seven months pregnant with her second child, she lost her father, Brian Randall, following a serious road accident in Scotland. Her father had been a talented artist and technical illustrator, and his influence remains a significant part of her own creative life.
At the time, Becky was working as an art teacher. When a part-time return to teaching was not available after maternity leave, she decided to build a business around her artwork. What began with a few charcoal commissions for friends and family quickly grew as people responded to her realistic portraits, eventually becoming her full-time career.
Drawing also became a way for Becky to manage the emotional strain of that period. The focus required to study an animal's features, textures and expression gave her a sense of calm, and that relationship with drawing remains central to her work today.
Her new book explores the techniques she has developed over years of drawing animals, including how to use charcoal pencils and powder to create convincing fur, strong contrasts, depth and expression. It is designed for artists who want to move beyond basic exercises and develop more realistic animal portraits.
Becky continues to teach workshops and demonstrations, alongside her commission work. She contributes to the Society for All Artists and writes a monthly art advice column for Artists & Illustrators magazine. Her work has been shortlisted for Wildlife Artist of the Year and exhibited at London's Mall Galleries.
To celebrate the book's forthcoming release, Becky will also exhibit artwork from the publication at Obsidian Gallery in Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire, from 5 to 13 December 2026.
“I know from teaching that people often underestimate what they're capable of,” she says. “I hope the book gives readers the confidence to experiment, understand the materials and enjoy the process, rather than feeling they have to get everything right immediately.”