Graphite Pencil Portraits and Original Art by Nicole Hamilton

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 5 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #3,076 in Arts , #67,003 overall

Creating Realistic Graphite Pencil Portraits from Photos

I create detailed graphite pencil portraits from photos and original graphite pencil and pastel chalk art. You can find out more about me and see examples of my work on my website www.pencilsandpixelsart.com.


I began drawing as a teenager, and have had a pencil in my hand consistently ever since. My goal with a portrait from a photo to capture the essence of a person in that moment. Eyes are my favorite feature to draw, since they say so much about the emotions of a person. Often comments about my pencil portraits include the terms "lots of emotion", "sensitive", and "so realistic". I so enjoy hearing kind comments like that, because it means I have been successful! I hope you will consider contacting me to create a beautiful portrait from your favorite photo.



Special requests are welcome, and can include adding text like a name or date, combining people from more than one photo, or adjusting elements from the photo. I also offer unique pencil portrait options like personalized text insignias and hand drawn creative backgrounds


Are you an artist? Visit my favorite online art supply store. They literally have everything! Dick Blick Art Materials


Visit the Isle of Squid, and be sure and submit a review!

My Pencil Art Links 

Check out these links to my site to see my pencil portraits, get pencil drawing help, and learn about my other services.
Pencils and Pixels Art.com - Pencil Portraits and More!
My sites' home page with recent and general information.
About Pencil Portraits
Find out about the high qulaity materials I use to create pencil portraits, how to choose the best photo for your pencil portrait, and how to make your pencil portrait last for generations to come.
Pencil Portraits Galleries and more
Visit all my galleries to see my colllection of work on pencil portraits, celebrity pencil art, and more!
Choosing a Photo For Your Pencil Portrait
Read some suggestions on how to pick the best photo for a hand drawn pencil portrait.
Pencil Portraits with Creative Backgrounds
I like to offer my customers unique options. Visit this link to see a vairety of creative backgrounds that can be hand drawn with your pencil portrait. For example, have your portrait drawn inside the Ace of Spades!
Link Exchange
Click here if you have an art related site and would like to exchange links with www.pencilsandpixelsart.com.
About the Artist
Read more about how I started to draw.
Comments on My Work
Read comments on my art from customers and visitors to my website.
My Art Blog
Read about my recent news, and pick up some tips for graphite drawing.
Sign Up for My Artist Newsletter
Join my mailing list and get a once montly newsletter featuring updates about new original artwork and photography, exclusive looks at works in progress (including the celebrity portraits picked in the celebrity vote), and access to coupon codes for savings on pencil portrait commissions and digital photo editing services.

Graphite Pencil Portraits From Photos 

I draw very realistic pencil portraits from photos. The subjects I have drawn include people, pets, buildings, and vehicles. I can draw using one photo, or compose subjects from several photographs into one pencil portrait. I also offer unique background choices and the option of adding text to your portrait.

Please visit PencilsandPixelsArt.com if you would like to commission a portrait, and see more examples of my work.

Sea a larger view of this portrait of two friends here.

Celebrity Pencil Portraits 

I enjoy doing celebrity portraits for fun, and to experiment with different graphite pencil techniques. Here is a look at one of my celebrity pencil portraits.

Visit my Celebrity Pencil Portraits gallery to see more.

See a larger view of Elizabeth Taylor's portrait.

Vote for the Celebrity I Draw Next! 

For fun, I decided to let visitors to my site get involved and help me choose which celebrity to draw next. Every few months, after a winner is chosen, a new list of 6 celebrities is posted. The progress of the portrait is tracked on my web site under the "News and Updates" section. The most recent portrait drawn from the celebrity vote was Sean Connery. Soon to come is Halle Berry.

Vote in the current list now!
Celebrity Pencil Portraits Vote
Visit this link to cast a vote! Thanks for participating!
News and Updates for PencilsandPixelsArt.com - Pencil Portraits and more!
Check out current news on my site.

Recently Completed Celebrity Pencil Art 

Sean Connery

The last celebrity vote chose Sean Connery. Also check out the larger view of his completed portrait.

I was privledged to have his portrait featured 5 times in different groups on Red Bubble.

Halle Berry is next . . . Stay Tuned!

My Original Art 

Buy Prints of My Original Works

I am currently working on building my portfolio of original art work. I create my pieces with graphite, charcoal, carbon, and pastel chalk. You can view small versions of all my work in my original art gallery on my website.

High resolution views are available in Nicole Hamilton's Fine Art America Gallery. On Fine Art America you can also purchase giclee prints of my work in with hundreds of different printing options to choose from.

You can also view larger images of my works and purchase card, laminated, matted, or other print syles from my Red Bubble Gallery.

These galleries contain my orignal pencil art works, and pieces from one of my other artistic interests - photography. I add new original art and photography on a regular basis. So please check back often!

Currently On My Drawing Desk - Celebrity Art Work - James Garner as Maverick

Deaven - What was recently on my drawing desk.

Finished Graphite Pencil Portrait 

Deaven

I recently finished Deaven's pencil portrait, much to his grandmother's delight! He was dressed in his grandpa's over sized football jersey.

See a larger view of the finished portrait on my site. I also have a high resolution image of the portrait posted in my gallery on Fine Art America.

Commission a Graphite Portrait for a special gift!

It's All About Contrast

Pencil drawing is the basis for all art. Graphite, charcoal, and carbon allow artists to explore a subject in black, white, and shades of grey. I like to have true contrast in my pencil art - whites are whites, and blacks are black. I create this contrast by using true white paper and dark grades of graphite, charcoal, or carbon.

This adds realism and increases the sense of depth in my pencil portraits.

For Star Wars Fans 

I am a big Star Wars fan, so be sure and take a look at my Star Wars Celebrity Art. This gallery is filled with some graphite and colored pencil pieces I have done over the years featuring the characters of Star Wars.

Be sure and visit the Star Wars Shop for some cool posters and prints, and other collectibles.


StarWarsShop.com - More Product. More Exclusives.

Pencil Art Books on Amazon I Recommend 

Pick these up for some great tips - read reviews of some of these on my site!

Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil

A must have for any pencil artist wanting to improve in rendering subjects realisitcially. J.D. Hillberry is an accomplished pencil artist, and this book takes you step by step through his creative process.You are sure to find many valuable tips. He shows how to accuratley render glass, metal, leather, and more! Read my full review of his book.

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Pencil Drawing Techniques

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

How to Draw Lifelike Portraits from Photographs

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure

Wonderful book for anyone wanting to render the human figure more accurately. Filled with wonderfull illustrations. Good basic tips on proportions of the human body, plus some great advice on rendering clothing. Read my full review of his book.

Amazon Price: $17.81 (as of 11/14/2009) Buy Now

Materials I Use to Create Pencil Portraits 

I strive to use high quality materials to create my pencil portraits. Here is a list of the supplies I keep on hand, and I would recommend to other artists.

Paper: Strathmore 2 ply Bristol 300 Series
An excellent true white paper, that is thick. The thickness resists creasing, and allows for indenting to create unique effects.

Artist Quality Graphite Pencils: Sanford 2H, HB, 2B, 6B, General's 8B woodless.

Charcoal Pencils: General's 4B Soft, 2B Medium, and Hard

General's Artist Quality Powdered Graphite

Erasers: Kneaded Rubber Eraser, Papermate Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick, Pentel Clic Eraser

Fixative: Krylon Workable Fixatif

Pastel Chalk: General's Pastel Chalk Pencils, and Lowe Cornell Pastel Chalk Sticks

I get all these at Dick Blick Art Materials

Learn more about drawing supplies by visiting my lens: Supplies for Artistic Drawing

Art Supplies on EBay 

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If you like my lens, or have some suggestions, I hope you'll let me know! Thanks!

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  • Reply
    NIH NIH Mar 15, 2009 @ 6:48 pm | in reply to melmail44
    Thank you very much! I appreciate you taking the time to look.
  • Reply
    melmail44 melmail44 Mar 12, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
    Very nice. I enjoyed looking at your artwork. You do really good work. God Bless!
  • Reply
    melmail44 melmail44 Mar 12, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
    Very nice. I enjoyed looking at your artwork. You do really good work. God Bless!
  • Reply
    annanelson annanelson Feb 23, 2009 @ 7:12 am
    I would like to invite you to join my new group, "Fine Art Critique." Set aside five or ten minutes to read the group page carefully. Let me know if anything sounds too convoluted or confusing. http://www.squidoo.com/groups/artcritique All visual arts are welcome.

    Thank you,
    Anna

    P.S. We look forward to having you.
  • Reply
    annanelson annanelson Feb 19, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
    I love your portraits. 5 stars. I am a portrait artist, too. I don't currently have any of my portraits posted online, but I will eventually. View my lens if you have time, and you can see some of my mixed media prints.

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by NIH

 I guess you could say I wear many hats . . .


First, I am a self taught pencil artist I enjoy working exclusively with graphite, creating reali...

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