CHALLENGED BY PENCILS

Our wedding in 37 days!

2011-05-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Siberian Tiger

ACEO 2.5"x3.5"

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2011

I've been very, very busy.. I've only managed to draw one ACEO since my last post, Siberian Tiger, and I'm now working on new commission and our wedding gifts for parents.

I loved working on Siberian Tiger ACEO, I think I've achieved a whole new level of details in this one (lol), lets hope it stays that way.

xx

Finally back..

2011-04-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Swan

ACEO 3.5"x2.5"

Pelican

ACEO 2.5"x3.5"

Hawk

ACEO 2.5"x3.5"

Owl

ACEO 3.5"x2.5"

I have perfectly good reasons for not writing in so long.. for real! I have moved home, changed job and made a lot of arrangements for our wedding (70 days left!!). Due to being busy in my private life I had to turn down some commissions, but I'm now back to work, and after replying to couple of hundreds of messages and emails (neglected those too..) I can now post my recent ACEO cards, four in a series of 'Birds' in graphite pencil. These are now for sale, prints will follow :)

Finished portrait

2011-01-19T10:52:00.000-08:00

Brothers

16x12"

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2011

Portrait has been finished and posted to Norway some time ago, but as usual I find it difficult to update my blog on time! Lene is happy with it, which is always great to know, as I always worry if my works are to customers expectations. I really loved working on it, as it was my first full body portrait. I struggled with drawing faces, because they were obviously smaller then what I'm used to, hopefully Lene's mother in law will see similarities and love it too, as it is a gift for her :)

I'm now working on ACEO cards and soon will post some scans!

Brothers WIP..

2011-01-09T03:38:00.000-08:00

WIP

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2011

Brothers WIP

2011-01-05T10:20:00.000-08:00

WIP

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2011

I've been working on this portrait for the past couple of days, it needs to be finished by the end of this week. It is 16x12" full body portrait (scans published so far are of about half of the portrait), I always find this kind of portraits a challenge as faces are only so small and I can only include so many details, they make me focus on the most important features as opposed to what I'm used to- trying to depict everything.

Brothers WIP

2011-01-03T11:06:00.000-08:00

WIP

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2011

New commission - WIP

2010-12-31T08:04:00.000-08:00

WIP

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

A few thoughts near the end of the year..

2010-12-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

So the Christmas time is over... Weeks of excitement, frantic shopping and gift wrapping, putting Christmas Tree up ( and a whole lot of other decorations) and 2 days of cooking 'only' to sit by the table on that special day and show each other how much we appreciate our company - at Christmas and in life. This is how I spent my Christmas with my fiance, last before becoming a married couple ;)

Another year is coming to an end, but this time I'm truly excited about what the New Year is going to bring to us. I horribly miss my beloved family who live in my home country, but at the same time I'm very grateful that I'm able to start my own new family. So here we are- welcoming New Year with moving the flat :) I guess saying 'new year is a new start' is quite true for us this year. With new list of resolutions I'm looking hopeful into the future, whatever I failed to do last year, I get another chance to do this year..

Maja

2010-12-27T06:58:00.000-08:00

Maja

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

My first time lapse drawing video- amazing Matt Cardle

2010-12-19T06:39:00.000-08:00

Here it is, I finally got to do what I wanted to do for ages- record the process of portrait drawing. And it took Matt Cardle, an amazing vocalist and x-Factor winner, to make me focus on my goals! This is my 'Thank You' and 'Congratulations' ( and loads of different emotions) to Matt, maybe I'll be able to give it to him one day ;)

Drawing took me around 15h, probably more, although I wasn't counting, and I used time lapse recording function in my digital camera set to recording 1 frame every 3 seconds. I enjoyed this experience and now have a list of people who I admire, who inspire me, and whom I'd like to draw and record the process :D

Maja WIP update

2010-12-04T07:27:00.000-08:00

Maja

Work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Quite a lot to draw yet, but the most difficult part of Maja's portrait is finished!

Recent and current commissions

2010-11-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

I know, I really do have to spend more time on my blog, the month breaks are unforgivable! And after such a long time I find myself looking for excuses to put my blogging aside for later. My New Year's resolution- update my blog AT LEAST once every 10 days!

I'm now working on Maja's portrait -

Maja

work in progress
Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

My recent commissions-

Kelsey

8x10

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Family Portrait

14x11"

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Festival of Central and Eastern European Cultures- Blackpool

2010-10-19T08:51:00.000-07:00

Recently most of my time and energy was consumed by Festival of Central and Eastern European Cultures which took place in Pavilion Theatre in Blackpool Winter Gardens on 9th October. It was an amazing and exciting event which brought together musicians, dancers, artists and filmakers who originally come from Central and Eastern Europe but live their creative lives in North West England. The Festival CEEC gave the opportunity to present our culture and talents to residents of our region and hopefully will become a regular event helping to create new cultural realtionships and united, although beautifully diverse, community.

photos by Dariusz Drobisz

I was very happy to present some of my older and recent works, including two of my Wildlife series, which I'm now working on. I managed to spread the word and give away my business cards which should help me boost commissions before Christmas. I met a few fantastic artists, musicians and photographers, and tasted some delicious locally produced food and beverages from different parts of Europe. All in all, I enjoyed the whole experience!

'Bathing'

2010

12 x 9.5"

'Lazy Afternoon'

2010

11.5 x 9"

Holidays at last!

2010-08-15T05:11:00.000-07:00

I have finished the last two portraits as promised to my family and friends, and I'm now ready to pack and get lazy in sunny Poland!! I will "see you" in September!

Ania

9x13"

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Filip & Kuba
13x9"
Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Filip and Kuba were drawn from 2 seperate photographs

reference photos

Pencil photo restoration project is finished! Two more to go..

2010-08-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

I am going away for holiday and to visit my family, and to make wedding arrangement at the same time, in 6 days! It is well deserved 19-days break from routine and everyday life, which can sometimes get quite dull, especialy when it's been nothing but raining for the past month! Missing your family and closest friends, whom you only see twice a year, doesn't help, but when the time comes nothing can beat the excitement and happiness I feel. As always I want to arrive with some gifts, but this year my portraits became very popular in my family and I've got quite a few requests from them! So here I am, 6 days left, 2 portraits to go.. I don't know how, but I have got to manage! The rest of them will be drawn for the winter break.

Below is the finished portrait of my grandma drawn from her favourite small old photograph.

Zofia

13.5x9.5"

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Eva's portrait is now finished!

2010-08-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Another of my projects is finished, since the last post I've added extra layers of graphite and detailed the clothing. On the other hand my photo restoration project is taking time, the main issue I have is the hair, in the photograph the hair is very dark and blurred, it lacks detail, I actually need to use some imagination to figure out the layers of locks. It's taking shape, though, slowly but surely..

Eva

10x8"

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Retrospection

2010-08-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

It's interesting for me to retrospect my works so far and see how much my style has changed, or should I say -improved in the past couple of months. I am much more confident with shading, adding smart contrast, I incorporate more shaded backgrounds, which in my opinion add that extra depth to the drawings, my works are much smoother then before. But at the same time I know that all this is going to improve again, there is so many great artists who I admire and who inspire me to push my limits! I simply can't stop now, I just love drawing so much.. hopefuly one day I'll be able to do it full time :) Thought I'd share it with you ;)

Below one of my current works in progress..

Eva

work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Daniel and Nicola - finished :)

2010-07-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

One of my recent commissions, 2 portraits of siblings Daniel and Nicola, are now finished and ready to be shipped! Each portrait took me around 9-10h to complete. I must say, I was a bit concerned about very dark shades in both photographs I drew from, but I'm happy with what I achieved in the end :)

Nicola

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Daniel

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Nicola- WIP

2010-07-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

Nicola

work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Nicola

2010-07-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Today I started drawing portrait of Nicola, Daniel's 1 year old sister, below is the first scan..

Nicola

work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Portrait of Daniel is almost finished!

2010-07-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

Portrait of Daniel is generally finished, I only need to add a text as requested by Daniel's Mom, but I will wait untill both siblings portraits are done..

Daniel

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Daniel Update

2010-07-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

Daniel

work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Portrait of Daniel

2010-07-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

I am now working on a new commission - 2 portraits of siblings, Daniel and Nicola, for their 4th and 1st birthdays. Below is the work in progress of Daniel's portrait.

Daniel

work in progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

1 day challenge

2010-07-17T04:37:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been challenged to draw a portrait that needed to be finished within 24h. I found it the most difficult drawing project I've ever taken on, I didn't want to compromise on the quality but had to rush through it to make sure it's finished by morning the next day!Those artists who do what I do know, that it's very difficult to work on one drawing for 11h straight, after 4h I wanted to swap it for something else simply to change the 'view', but after 8h I was phisically tired of working on it, and yet it needed finishing of. It is A4 size - 2 half bodies, which made drawing faces even harder, the features are much smaller then what they usally are in classic portraits, I had literally no space for mistakes, every line and shade had to precise..

Kasia and Julia

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

I much preffer working on larger scale, but then it wouldn't be a challenge if it was easy, right?

Photo restoration

2010-07-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Recently I started working on my grandma's portrait, I'm using her favourite photo taken many years ago. She's waited for me to draw her for some time already, and finally I'm able to find some time to do it for her before my visit home.

Work in Progress

Copyright Natalia Grudzinska 2010

Not many people think of drawing/painting portraits as of photo restoration process, commissions which I usually get are from fairly new photographs, whereas all of us have some old pictures at the bottom of the drawer waiting to be appreciated once more.. Most of older portrait photos are good enough materials for pencil portraits, scan will show enough details to depict a subject and in fact restore old faded photograph, such portraits have sentimental values- enabling to display the past.. something to think about.

Long time no see!

2010-07-03T14:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted anything in this blog, time to catch up!

Izzy

12x16"

It's been a pure pleasure to work on this drawing of gorgeous German Shepherd called Izzy, even though I still debate whether to draw the rest of Izzy's body and what to do with the background. All in all I think it will do a nice print or postcard ('Daydreamer'?).

Recently I've been commissioned to draw this beautiful girl Ann, even though the photograph I received was considerably small, I think I managed to draw her quite well. I always advice to choose the best resolution sharp photograph to allow me to include all the details which compose the look and personality of the subject, I rarely agree to draw from low resolution pictures.. but this portrait was such a special gift, I couldn't refuse. Ann is drawn on Fabriano Artistico HP extra white watercolour paper, I wasn't sure whether it would be a good choice, but I must say - I love it and I definitely recommend it.

Ann

8"x10"

Ann

work in progress

I'm now starting to work on my wildlife drawings, which I could use for prints and postcards, it will allow me to 'open' another gallery in my website, I'm quite excited about it!

Pencil on watercolour paper

2010-03-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

This portrait of Marta was finished 2 weeks ago, but due to it being a birthday gift and Marta knowing my work, I was asked not to publish a WIP until today ( WIP being work in progress :)
I had bought this watercolour paper some time before this commission, but never really got to try it out. I decided to start drawing Marta on this paper, and halfway through emailed her mother a scan for her feedback. She loved the effect and wanted me to carry on! And I'm glad she did, because the effect is interesting, drawing was easy regardless rough texture, shades are deep and blending was a pure pleasure! And I like to give my customers a choice of paper as well. Today I'm buying Fabiano Artistico HP watercolor paper, I've read some great opinions on this one and decided to test it myself, both natural and extra white. Next time..

Marta

8x10"

Marta

work in progress

Jack

2010-03-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

For past couple of weeks I've been working on Jack's portrait. On and off it took me 16 hours! I have mixed feelings about it though, I like it having in mind that it is my first Prismacolor portrait and I experimented a lot not knowing how to approach those very soft pencils, I struggled not being able to draw as many details as I'd like to, I suppose for detailing I'd need Verithins, which are now on my wish list. I am my own worst nightmare critic, I'm a perfectionist and I'm not ashamed to say that I should do better, maybe with a little bit of practice I will be able to draw softer and achieve touchable looking fur...

Jack

8x10"

Jack

work in progress

Photograph taken by the dog owner - Yana Lenski (Flickr)

My Mom's portrait

2010-03-20T13:21:00.000-07:00

After over 17h of drawing, my Mom's portrait is finished!. I like it, especially that my Mom loves it and she can't wait to receive it! Next - Prismacolors - they have finally arrived and I'm happily struggling with drawing colorful Jack - the dog. More in the nex post!

24/7 frustration

2010-03-14T04:29:00.000-07:00

Why does day have only 24 hours, and why do we ever need to sleep..? I remember thinking, when I started building my portfolio, that if one regular size drawing took me 2-3 days, I would quickly build an impressive amount of works- different subjects in several different mediums. Now I spend at least 3-4 hours a day doing SEO, increasing Page Rank, on the top of that come leaflets design, research, contacting photographers, replying to emails, updating website, blog, everyday life, eating - I keep forgetting about that.. it all leaves me very little time to draw, actually next to none. I have a long list of drawings which I'd like to do between commissions, mostly family members an pets, try different mediums and papers in order to give my clients wider options. How long will it be before it all settles down? A year? Hopefully no longer...

Portrait of Zoe

2010-03-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

I have finally finished Zoe's Portrait, it took me 15 hours! It's size A3, probably my favourite to draw, having so much space to include all the details. I like the contrast between darker background and light reflections in Zoe's hair. It gives that extra depth to the drawing.

Zoe

Zoe
detail

Awaiting Prismacolors..

2010-03-10T02:04:00.000-08:00

I've just finished my first wholly coloured dog. Although I added some colour in some of my previous pet portraits, this one I have drawn entirely in coloured pencils.

6x8"

work in progress

I am not completely satisfied with it though, and my excuse are the pencils which I bought years ago for something like £2.99 or £3.99 - shocking! I'm still waiting for my Prismacolors to arrive, they have a very good opinion between artist, they cost several times more and should give me no excuses!

My mum..

2010-03-08T13:18:00.000-08:00

Here's the drawing of my mum which I started about two weeks ago. Every other day when I find time to draw for myself I come back to this portrait, It's nice to have a work on the go, to draw bits when you feel like it - and belive me, as much as I love drawing, there are days when I can't look at pencils. I guess it's when I work on the drawing for too long, I get too familiar with it to the point that I don't look at what I'm drawing anymore or I start getting fed up with it and want to drop it (read: tear in pieces) that's when I swap drawings -change my subject or medium, graphite to colour pencils and otherwise. For this reason I never draw one drawing at a time, in fact right now I'm drawing four portraits..

work in progress

I very much like the photograph which I'm using as a reference - it's my mum and her cat Kora who both had just had a nap and they look so relaxed and calm. It reminds me of home and this is always a good feeling...

Recent portraits

2010-03-06T03:06:00.000-08:00

Here are the two babies portraits I've finished recently, 'Nico' and 'Sheila's Grandaughter'. I worked on them both at the same time, both were equally challenging, one for pretty/cheeky face expression which I just love, and the other one for the projected energy, which made me laugh all the way through the drawing, loved that too!! Difficult as they were, I enjoyed working on them.

Nico

I can tell for myself that my drawing skills improved, I can finally call my drawings 'finished works' rather than sketches, which recently made me think about proper advertising and marketing my services as portraiture artist. So there it is - customer focused website showing my gallery, presenting price lists, explaining commissioning process etc. And here I am - spending ages on website optimisation and improving page rank (such dull work, but somebody has to do it), which leaves me very little time to draw. We'll see whether it brings results! I am actually working on four different drawings now, so I should have something to write about next time :D

My first EVER post!

2010-03-05T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here we go, my first ever post, I'm well excited!
I hope to keep this blog as a diary for myself, open to all of you interested in pencil portraiture art. Hope it all goes well, my posts are readable (and read) and that I can show that pencils, so underrated, are great for creating beautiful pieces.

I sometimes draw celebrities, mostly because you can find their pictures online in very high resolution. I don't consider them to be the greates subject ever, but I like to use their images for practice, nothing more. Keira and Nelly took me around 12h each to draw, both are nearly A4 size. I remember thinking 'Gosh, they took time'.. well, lets just say that I don't anymore. I sometimes draw for so long, I easily loose track of time. So please, no talking 'It's only a drawing'!