Drawings of Family and Friends

My Daughter

by Jan Gallagher
(Yorkshire, England)

Beautiful Gemma

Hi all

I have recently started drawing again after never having the time with three daughters to bring up. But, I have now found time to get back to it.

I love drawing portraits of my family and have started with my eldest daughter who is now 20. The portrait is taken from a photo when she was 5.

It's taking some time to get back into drawing but I'm quite pleased with this one. This is the second drawing I have done in a long time. Constructive comments would really be appreciated as I believe that is how we learn to rectify mistakes.

jan

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Jan, this drawing is so beautiful. That makes such a treasured gift for your children. Welcome back to the land of peace and art!

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My Son

by Jan Gallagher
(UK)

My only son

Here is portrait number 3. This is my son. I struggled with this one but really enjoyed doing it.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Jan, your struggle isn't obvious, I think you have done a really good job of this portrait. Congratulations on your perseverance and dedication.

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Daughter Number Two

by Jan
(Yorkshire, England)

Hannah age 4

This is the second portrait I have done, in fact this is the second drawing I have done since starting drawing after a long time. I'm really enjoying it.

Please let me know what you think? This is Hannah at 4 years old. She is now 18.

***Note from Kerry:
Jan, it's hard to believe you haven't drawn for such a long time and I am thrilled for you that you have found your way back to your pencil.

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Ms.Elina

by Janis Dzierkals
(Riga)

Friend by Janis Dzierkals

This is a friend of mine, a very beautiful girl, her name is Elina.

This drawing is from my sketchbook.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Janis, this is another beaut drawing, I like your style.

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Kev and Lis

by James Worthington
(Belgrave, VIC)

The InLaws

This is a Christmas present I drew for my Wife's mother and step father.

They are such kind, caring, generous people. I wanted to do something special for them.

***Note from Kerry:
You show the same character too, James, just by the way you draw and the reasons behind each piece of art. You are a very good artist.

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Zakary James Worthington

by James Worthington
(Belgrave, VIC)

Zakary James 2 days old

I completed this picture of my new son soon after he was born, I couldn't resist.

The feeling of being a new father is so inspiring.

***Note from Kerry:
That's one to frame, James. You've done a fantastic job, good work!

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Chris's Grandad

by James Worthington
(Belgrave, VIC)

RIP Grandad John

This is one of my favourite portraits. I did it for my brother-in-law's family after their Grandad passed away.

RIP John Maher

***Note from Kerry:
Just by comparing the photo with the drawing, I can see you have done a terrific job, James.

That is something the family can treasure.

May I ask, do you use a grid at all?

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Daniel Wilde RIP

by James W
(Belgrave, Victoria, Australia)

Daniel Wilde RIP

This is a portrait of one of my wife's friends who died in a car accident. I only met him a couple of times but the love he shared with his friends was truly remarkable.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi James, your drawing is fantastic because I can see Daniel's personality shining through. I feel sad for his family's loss.

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Friends daughter

by Betsy (Joisey Gal)
(nj)

Pretty girl

This is a picture of my friends daughter. I just did this one today.

***Note from Kerry:
Good work, Betsy!

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Hannah's Eyes

by Mitzi Williams
(Talladega, AL USA)

Hannah From Jack's

This is a drawing of a young lady that we met when we went out to eat. I wanted to "capture" her beautiful eyes and she was kind enough to help me with that.

The drawing is done with the light wash sketch pencil and I've added colored pencils for her shirt logo, but my eyes are too old to replicate the logo on her name tag, so for now am omitting that detail.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Mitzi
Your drawing is so good, I am sure I would recognize Hannah if I ever went to Jack's. She does have nice eyes. I like it.

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A Friend's Daughter

by Mitzi Williams
(Talladega, AL USA)

My friend's daughter

I did this drawing of a friend's daughter, but I am having trouble getting the hair right (this is the first Afro- American I have ever drawn).

If anyone can give me pointers, I would surely appreciate it.

Thanks in advance, Mitzi

***Note from Kerry:
Portrait drawing provides us with many challenges, doesn't it? It's something that takes a lot of practice.

There are a lot of tutorials on the net, here is a free tutorial that should give you an idea:

Click here to read or post comments.

Another Friend's Daughter

by Mitzi Williams
(Talladega, AL USA)

Lisa's Daughter

My husband's co worker saw some of the recent drawings that I have done and asked if I wanted a challenge. She sent a recent photo of her daughter for me to practice.

The hands and face are done with a light wash sketching pencil, the hair with a medium wash sketching pencil. For variety, I did the clothing in colored pencil and a medium charcoal pencil.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Mitzi
You've done a great job with this portrait, you have good attention to detail and it makes a lovely overall image.

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Our Pastor

by Mitzi Williams
(Talladega, AL. USA)

Pastor Wayne

This is one of the more recent drawings that I've done since I quit drawing 20 years ago. I have recently began drawing again.

I have never taken an art class, so my work is purely on a self taught basis.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Mitzi
It's always good to know that we don't really lose what we have previously learned from drawing. Your drawing is great, I hope you have shown Pastor Wayne your good work.

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Timothy

by Michelle
(Snohomish, WA)

Timothy

I drew this portrait from a black and white photo of my fiancee. We think he was about 4 years old in this photo.

I am going to frame it and give to his mother for her birthday.

This is my third portrait drawing.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Michelle, this is terrific, especially since this is only your 3rd portrait drawing. Great job!

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Pastor and Miss Kim

by Leah
(USA)

Pastor and Miss Kim

This is a picture I drew of our pastor and his wife, I never have drawn people before. I didn't have much to do one day and thought it would be fun, but it was very hard.

It came out looking like a mix between a caricature and real life.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Leah
The best thing is that you are trying different subjects and you are learning all the time. I think you've done a terrific job capturing personalities -- portraits are so hard and I admire your efforts tremendously.

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Grandfather

by Betsy (Joisey Gal)
(NJ)

Grandfather

This picture was of a friend's grandfather who looked like Frank Sinatra.

I did this as a gift for his 80th birthday.

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Betsy,
Your portrait is fantastic! I can see a definite likeness with Mr Sinatra.

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Kyle and Liam

by Sue
(Bradford, West Yorkshire)

Kyle and Liam

I'm a self taught artist although I enjoyed sketching at school and despite being a messy painter managed to get'O' level GCE in Art at 85%.

I attended life drawing evening class at Art school but never really got anywhere. However I began drawing children and actually managed to sell a few quite a few years ago.

My family do have several sketches of family members, usually my grandchildren or nephew and neices. I really don't have any fully completed sketches but attach a couple.... I tend to loose interest in the surroundings when I capture the face....

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Sue, I know exactly what you mean about losing interest once you capture the face but that doesn't matter.

Just draw what you like to draw and leave it at that - that's your style, you are unique. You declare them done once they are done according to your preference.

If you decide to do that, you will find you produce many more drawings because you won't feel that reluctance to finish them. (I hope I've made sense)

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His Baby

by Evangelise
(England)

His baby!

This is my friend's latest motorbike, he's very proud of it.

This is the first time I've drawn a bike like this ... hope he's pleased.

***Note from Kerry:
Evangelise, I'm sure he'll frame this and it will take pride of place in his home. You have done a fantastic job.

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My Friend And His Daughter

by Evangelise
(England)

My Friend And Daughter

Now my friend for years, I saw this photo of him and his daughter together. I thought it was lovely, very tender - a father's love.

So, I endeavoured to draw this, I hope he likes it.

***Note from Kerry:
Gee Evangelise, I think it's beautiful. I'm sure he'll love it too.

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