Samara LeTard
A Sydney-based pastel pencil artist specialising in highly detailed wildlife portraits — often moody, atmospheric compositions that capture both the beauty and the personality of an animal.
South Africa
Samara grew up in South Africa, where she was incredibly fortunate to experience many African animals in their natural environment. Being surrounded by such remarkable wildlife from an early age sparked a deep appreciation for animals and nature that continues to influence her work today.
Sydney has now been home for the past 18 years, and it’s where her practice as an artist has taken shape, but that early connection to African wildlife still plays a big role in the subjects she chooses to draw.
Samara had always loved art, and had dabbled in painting over the years, but never felt confident enough to pursue it seriously. That changed during the Covid lockdowns, when she followed a pencil tutorial and was surprised by how well it turned out.
She kept practising, experimenting with different pencils, creating small pet portraits.
As her confidence grew, so did the scale of her work. Somewhere in that process she discovered a particular love for pastel pencils, and the layering techniques they allow. She has been creating seriously since 2021, and remains completely self-taught.
Capturing personality and expression, first, then presence.
Samara’s work began with pet portraits, where she discovered how much she loved capturing the unique personality and expression of each animal. Over time, that passion naturally evolved into wildlife portraiture — and with it, the chance to explore more dramatic compositions and beautifully styled, moody artwork.
She wanted to create more than a realistic reproduction of a photograph. What draws her in now is presence, personality and atmosphere — the light, the shadow, the quiet intensity of an animal in a single held moment.
My favourite part of any portrait is the expression in the animal’s eyes.
More than technical realism, Samara hopes viewers really see the animal — its individuality, its essence, something more than a portrait looking back at you.
Before the Laugh
Moody. Dramatic. Soulful.
Asked to describe her art in three words, this is what Samara chose. She loves shadow and light, and is drawn to pieces with a little drama — the darker, more dramatic end of the palette.
Her inspiration is always the animal first, then the search for the composition that will make it the star of the piece, bringing its majesty to life with mood and atmosphere.
From the animals of Africa to the birdlife of Australia.
While Samara’s earlier pieces were inspired by the animals of Africa, she has increasingly been drawn to the extraordinary birdlife of Australia — its striking colours, textures and expressive personalities becoming a growing focus of her work.
Layer upon layer, until the animal looks back at you.
Samara works primarily with pastel pencils and soft pastels on archival Pastelmat, using high-quality Carbothello pastel pencils to build layer upon layer of colour and detail, creating the depth, texture and atmosphere that define her work.
Every original is then framed, with her most recent pieces using ArtGlass — a glazing that minimises reflection, so nothing comes between the viewer and the work.
Exhibited & awarded
Samara’s first art exhibition was the Hunters Hill Art Exhibition in 2023, where Morning Whispers — her portrait of two young foxes — won the Kids Choice Award. That piece went on to sell at the Royal Easter Show the following year. In March 2024 she entered the American Art Awards and received 1st place in the Realism category for Rhapsody at the Watering Hole, her portrait of an elephant herd. In 2025 she received 2nd place in the Bird Category at the Sydney Royal Easter Show for Say What?, her portrait of a Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
Through her art, Samara hopes to create a moment of connection, capturing those quiet, soulful moments when an animal’s gaze seems to draw you in, and you feel there is something more than just a portrait looking back at you.