Hi, I’m Peta Harvey—a visual artist based in Brisbane, Australia. My creative journey began with ceramics and painting on big, bold surfaces like platters and large forms. I went on to complete a Diploma of Art at the Australian National University in 2003, and since then, my creative path has shifted more toward drawing, which is where I feel most at home these days.
I’m passionate about capturing facial expressions and the subtle personality of a subject. Pencil is my go-to medium—graphite, charcoal, pastel, and coloured—but I also love experimenting with watercolours, acrylics, and mixed media. I enjoy the contrast between the control of drawing and the spontaneity of looser, water-based materials – it keeps things fresh and dynamic.
I choose my subjects based on emotional connection or character, always aiming for a realistic likeness while leaving visible marks and strokes that reflect the hand of the artist. I like playing with the tension between realism and suggestion—what’s finished and what’s left open.
Teaching is a recently discovered passion. I share my love of graphite and pencil through drawing lessons at a local art store and the occasional private lesson. I also teach online to connect with a wider audience. Helping people grow in confidence and creativity through drawing has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my practice.