A Little Bit of Everything Arty
Welcome to My Blog
Over the years, I have had a lot of questions when creating my artworks, for example, what are the best pencils to use, what is the best paper for each art medium, the list goes on and on. Below are a few key pointers to help both the professional artists and happy hobbyist alike.
An Artists Guide to Coloured Pencils
Coloured pencils have not always been primarily used for creating artwork, originally coloured pencils were used for marking up and checking written and technical works. Although the origins of coloured pencils stem…
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Graphite Pencils – a Complete Understanding of Grades & Tones
The choice of what pencils to choose can be confusing, you may wonder, why does the price vary so much?, what are the benefits of one brand from another?
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Blending Stumps – What They Are and How to Use Them
A question most artists out there have asked, what is the best way to blend differing tones of graphite pencils together? I remember from a young age, trying to blend…
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Dog Pencil Drawing Hints & Tips
If you look around there is plenty of books and reference both on and offline to help you with drawing pets. As useful as some of them may be, I can truly say its firstly all about training your eyes…
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How Do I Order a Pet Pencil Portrait Drawing?
It may seem simple but a lot of people find it hard, asking the right questions, where do I find a pet portrait artist?, what is an acceptable cost for a pet drawing?
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What Are the Five Types of Drawing?
This is an interesting one, you may have thought there are hundreds of different drawing types but there is only a handful. I have categorised them into distinct…
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Tips for Drawing Child Portraits
Capturing the innocence and beauty of a child’s face can make for a spectacular portrait. Their big bright eyes, cheeky smiles and fun personalities, when drawn well…
Pet Portraits from Photographs
Obviously in history, artists would draw or paint the subject in a life drawing situation, live in front of them, as time has passed by artists would then do quick studies…
6 Top Tips for the Perfect Pencil Portrait Drawing
Studying the overall composition of the face/subject is a very wise thing to do prior to starting any pencil portrait. There are many subtleties and details….
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The 5 Key Coloured Pencil Techniques
This is a very handy guide to some of the key coloured pencil techniques to help you create some amazing effects and finishes to your artworks.
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What Is the Point of Hyperrealistic Art? Why Not Just Take a Photograph?
Why do artists do Hyperrealistic art? put simply, because they can.
Beautiful Pencil Portraits – How to Guide
This is a brief overview for beginners on how to create a wonderful pencil portrait.
How to Take the Best Photo of Your Dog
A useful guide to help you take the perfect photo of your dog. Handy hints on how to get them to pose and capturing that winning photo.
What Is the Cost of a Pencil Portrait?
A handy at a glance guide to the average price and time to undertake a pencil portrait drawing. Highlighting the three main types of portraiture available in pencil and what sort of cost is involved in commissioning one.
Pencil Drawing – a Guide to Mastering the Art
At the heart of all great works of art is the humble pencil. Whether it’s a quick sketch or a detailed drawing, pencils are essential tools for artists of all levels.
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Pencil Portrait Drawing – Handy Hints & Tips
In this small blog, there are some golden nuggets of information to help artists at all levels get started with pencil portrait drawing.
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Choosing the Right Pencil Portrait for You
Pencil portraits are a timeless and classic form of art that have been cherished for centuries. They offer a unique way to capture the likeness and personality of a subject, and can be a beautiful addition to any home or office.
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Choosing the Perfect Picture Frame for Your Art
Picture frames are an essential part of home décor, and they add character and beauty to any space. Choosing the right frame can make a big difference in how a picture is perceived and displayed.
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The Best Poses for Pencil Portrait Drawings
When it comes to portrait drawing, selecting the right pose is crucial to create a realistic and lifelike image. A good pose not only makes the portrait look more natural, but it can also reveal the subject’s personality and mood.
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The Best Paper to Choose for Drawing
As an artist, choosing the right type of drawing paper is crucial to the success of your artwork. The quality of paper can impact the final result of your artwork, and it is important to select paper that is appropriate for your medium and style.
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What Is a Ceramic Knife and Can It Be Used When Drawing?
A Slice Ceramic Craft Knife is a type of craft knife that features a ceramic blade. Ceramic blades are known for their exceptional sharpness and durability, as well as their resistance to rust and other forms of corrosion.
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Finding the Perfect Inspiration for Your Next Pencil Drawing
When it comes to pencil drawing, finding the right inspiration is crucial. The subject you choose sets the tone for your artwork and can greatly impact its success. In this article, we will explore various sources…
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Life Drawing – a Complete Overview
Life drawing, also known as figure drawing, is the practice of drawing the human figure from observation. It is an essential discipline for artists and has a long history dating back to ancient times. Here is a complete overview of life drawing…
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A Concise History of Pencil Portraits
Pencil portraits, also known as graphite portraits, have a rich history dating back centuries. This unique art form captures the essence of a subject through the skilled use of graphite pencils. From the early rudimentary sketches…
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Ordering a Personalised Pet Pencil Portrait
A great very helpful overview on the the key things to do when ordering a personalised pencil portrait of your pet.
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A Chronicle of Pencil Portraits Through History
An interesting look at the history of the pencil portraits, highlighting some famous artists and the works they have created.
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How to Scale a Pencil Portrait Drawing
A useful overview on how to scale your pencil portrait drawing accurately. The best way to correctly draw and measure all the elements of the human face.
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Ideas for the Perfect Dog Pencil Portrait
Some great ideas to help you decide the kind of pet pencil portrait you would like. From diffeent styles and poses to the best medium to use.
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A Brief Overview of Charcoal Portraiture
This article gives a very well rounded idea of charcoal portraiture and the brief evolution of this versatile medium over the years.
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Celebrity Portrait Drawings – a Brief Overview
Discover all about celebrity pencil portrait drawings, and how some of the finest depictions of celebrities have been achieved.
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Order a Pencil Portrait of Your Favourite Celebrity
Take a look at this quick guide on how to order the perfect pencil portrait of your favourite celebrity.
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Where Do Artists Find Their Inspiration?
A great insight into where and how artists find inspiration to create their bespoke masterpieces.
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Horse Pencil Portraits – the Perfect Gift for Horse Lovers
Why not choose the perfect gift for the horse lover in your life. A personalised pencil portrait of their horse will be such a special and personalised gift for them.
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The Best Choice of Paper to Use When Drawing Pencil Portraits
This handy guide will give you a good overview of the best ypes of paper to use when undertaking a pencil portrait. The best ones available for different artistic levels.
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The Best Technique for Pencil Sharpening
This article gives all the options to best sharpen your pencils and keep them in perfect condition to draw. Outlining all the choices and techniques adopted by both amatuer and professional artist.
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How to Draw – Quick Start Guide
A great article for beginners on how to get started with drawing. From understanding the basics to learning about the best techniques to use for different subject types.
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Discover the Difference Between Oil Based and Wax Based Coloured Pencils
This is a great overview to give you a clear understanding of the differences between wax ands oil pbased coloured pencils, the benefits of each and how to best use them to their full capability.
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Photorealistic Pencil Portraits
A concise overview about the art of photorealistic pencil portraits, the history behind them and how the request for pencil portraits in this style is growing.
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Hyper-Realistic Pencil Portrait Artists
Discover the top artists in the world of hyper-realism. This blog gives a brief overview of the top four artists, highlighting a brief history, their signature style and notable works from over the years, that has given them their notable reputation today.
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Proffessional Pencil Drawings – Different Styles & Types
Before choosing the what type of pencil drawing you would like to order, read this interesting blog to discover the different styles and types of pencil drawings available.
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Exploring the Art of Dog Drawings: Techniques, Breeds and Time Investment
Dog drawings are a beloved subject in the world of art, capturing the diversity and personality of man’s best friend through various styles and techniques.
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Why Choose a Custom Pencil Portrait as the Perfect Gift
Discover why choosing a custom pencil portrait makes for the perfect gift. Understanding the best way to order one and the different types of portraits that are available.
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Why You Should Switch to an Electric Eraser
Find out all about why a lot of professional artists and budding amatuer artists are switching to electric erasers. Click here to discover more
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The Timeless Art of Pencil Portraiture
In a world saturated with digital images and instant gratification, the allure of something crafted slowly, thoughtfully, and by hand is becoming ever more precious.
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Looking for a Unique Gift or Birthday Present?
Ordering a pencil portrait as a gift can make the perfect unique gift that no-one else will think of. Capture a special moment for a friend or loved on that is truly unique.
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A Behind the Scenes Look at the Pencil Portrait
Discover the artistry behind pencil portraits in this behind-the-scenes look. From first sketch to final shading, see how lifelike drawings come to life.
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Pencil Portrait Drawing Care Guide
A handy guide on how to look after and clean your pencil portrait drawing, where to position it and all the great ways to preserve its original look for years to come.
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Art Is Everywhere
Discover how art exists in everyday life—from nature and city streets to simple objects at home—and learn to see beauty in the ordinary.
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