David Dancey Wood:

David Dancy Wood is a renowned British wildlife artist, celebrated for his
exceptional pencil drawings that intricately capture the essence of the animal
kingdom. Born in Bristol, England on 27th of May 1970, he pursued a formal
art education at the Bournemouth and Poole Faculty of Art and Design, dedicating four years to honing his craft.

David has the unique ability to bring to life on paper the creatures he has seen in the wild, many of which are in danger of extinction. The details expressed in each picture is always anatomically correct and yet expresses the warmth and character of the creature involved. David’s work is not dependant on technical innovations but relies on his own observation and is executed with just his simple range of German graphite pencils.

As someone who works in oils and colour, I am astonished at the dramatic impact that David’s drawings have, whether of a human face or a hippo. With such a diversity of subjects, his work is of outstanding quality and deserves to be recognized.

Biography:

From an early age, David Dancey-Wood exhibited a profound passion for both art and the natural world. This dual interest led him to a career as a zoological illustrator, where he collaborated with esteemed organizations such as Time/Life, The Disney Corporation, Microsoft Encarta, and the Eastern and Orient Express. His illustrations have been
featured in various media, including films, books, and magazines.

Specializing in wildlife subjects, Dancey-Wood is particularly acclaimed for his detailed depictions of primates. He has worked closely with institutions like the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, serving as their artist and capturing the intricate features of chimpanzees and orangutans. In 2008, he was invited, alongside Sir David Attenborough, as a guest of honour for the re-launch of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund at the BAFTA Theatre in London.

His commitment to conservation has taken him across the globe, allowing him to observe and document endangered species in their natural habitats. In 2011, renowned explorer.

Colonel John Blashford-Snell invited David Dancey-Wood to join an expedition into the foothills of the Himalayas in search of a mysterious giant elephant, believed to be a distant relative of the long-extinct Stegodon.

Career:

Whilst growing up David spent time in the far east where his family worked for a charity giving relief aid to Cambodian refugees from the Cambodian genocide. It was whilst in the tropics David discovered a lifelong love of rainforest and the species within.

David Dancey-Wood has collaborated extensively with Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, working closely with the late Jim Cronin. Specializing in capturing the nuanced personalities of primates, Dancey-Wood has focused much of his work on accurately depicting the abused primates rescued from the pet trade.

He has also embarked on three significant expeditions to Central and South America to study wild jaguars in their natural environment. These expeditions took place in 2003 (Costa Rica), 2005 (Guyana), and 2007 (Guatemala and Belize).

In addition to his wildlife-focused work, David produced a drawing titled A Vision of Hope for the Wessex charity Hope, which aimed to raise funds for a meningitis vaccine.

Throughout the 2000s, David enjoyed considerable success with several sell-out exhibitions, including notable showcases at London’s Croydon Gallery and through Enigma Fine Art.

In 2007, David Dancey-Wood published an autobiographical account titled “Pencils, Patience and Primates,” detailing his life and artistic journey.

Through his art, Dancey-Wood aims to blend scientific accuracy with artistic expression, providing future generations with a precise and evocative record of today’s rapidly disappearing wildlife. His dedication to both his craft and conservation continues to inspire and educate audiences worldwide.

Limited Edition prints of his work have become collectible items, adorning the walls of over 30,000 homes.

Dancey-Wood’s artwork has been exhibited internationally, and his original drawings are highly sought after, often accompanied by waiting lists. His art has often been featured in fine art auctions, including those at Christie’s of London.

Commitment to Wildlife Conservation and Global
Efforts:

David Dancey-Wood’s commitment to wildlife conservation extends beyond his art, as he actively supports global efforts to protect endangered species. He has collaborated with organizations like The Snow Leopard Trust, where his art has helped raise awareness about the conservation of snow leopards in their native habitats. Additionally, as a member of The Scientific Exploration Society, in 2012 Dancey-Wood participated in an expedition that bridged scientific discovery with artistic documentation, furthering his mission to promote the protection of wildlife through both exploration and visual storytelling. Through these partnerships, and others, his work continues to inspire action for the preservation of our planet’s most vulnerable creatures.

Sumatran Tiger was undoubtedly his fastest selling print ever! https://www.wildlife-sketches.com/productpage/sumatran-tiger

© All images are Copyright Hawksbill Fine Art 2025