Welcome

Hello, I’m Erin! A portrait artist based in PEI, Canada. I draw custom portraits in graphite or chalk pastel from your digital photos. I specialize in child portraiture but also offer ones of your grown up or furrier family members. The better the photo, the better the result! See below for tips on the best kind of photo to submit or email me at info@erinarsenaultart.com before ordering to run some pictures by me. Thanks for stopping by!

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Black and White Portrait

Using willow charcoal and a series of graphite pencils, your black and white portrait is drawn on high quality archival paper in white or very light tones. A traditional style that remains soft and timeless.

Sizes include: 8″x10″, 9″x12″ and 11″x14″

Colour Portrait

More a painting than a drawing, your colour portrait is created through layering patches of chalk pastel, with particularly close attention to colour and detail. I love capturing all the hues in a chubby cheek or bright eye.

Sizes include: 9″x12″, 11″x14″ and 12″x16″

Pet Portrait

More than a pet, the animals in our lives are additional family members. I’ve been drawing cat and dog portraits for many years now and am always excited by the challenge of creating a luxurious, realistic, textured coat.

Sizes include: 9″x12″, 11″x14″ and 12″x16″

Photo Tips

Expression

This is personal preference but I find when photographing my own kids they are more natural when they don’t know I’m taking the picture. They look more like themselves. A candid shot can make for a more interesting portrait and avoid exaggerated smiles or goofy faces.

Light Source

The best shadows are created from side angle light sources; a single lamp, light coming in a window or the sun shining in the morning or evening. It creates a shadow on one side of the face that adds dimension and helps the finished portrait pop.

Pictures taken outside midday tend to create under eye shadows and generally have an unflattering effect. Also, please no flash! It makes for a clear photo but really flattens the face.

Resolution

Clarity really is key for a good portrait outcome. You don’t need a fancy camera, phones from the last couple of years and a steady hand are usually enough. Between 3-6 feet is the ideal distance from your subject. Too close and the camera will distort their features, but too far and you’ll lose detail.

Angle

Again, personal preference, but I find a turn of the head more interesting to look at. Pictures taken front on can flatten the face while a bit of a turn gives the head more dimension and
often captures the features better. (This sample is really ideal. The light source is from the side and gives some great shadows on the left side of the face. He has a subtle expression as he was engrossed in cartoons before looking at me. The clarity is quite good as it was taken at about 3 or 4 feet away and there is a 3/4 turn of the face.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you merge multiple subjects into one drawing?

Yes! I can definitely work from separate photos and make it look like the subjects are together. It helps if the lighting is similar and makes it more believable that they are in the same space.

Can I send multiple photos for reference?

Yes please! The more options the better! We’ll work together to choose a photo that best represents your loved one while also being a suitable reference for me to work from.

How long before I receive my portrait?

This definitely depends on the time of year. Christmas is the busiest time of year, so depending on how many orders I receive it could take from 3-6 weeks to receive a completed portrait. If you have a timeframe in mind, please get in touch and I’ll see what I can do to accommodate you! Rush orders may be possible if my other orders are more flexible.

How do I go about framing?

I work part time as a framer and would obviously recommend custom framing if that is an option. However, it is pricey so there are definitely other options. You should always mat your artwork. A single, or even better, double mat, creates a space between the artwork and glass. My portraits are standard sizes so you should be able to find a pre-made frame that includes matting. If you have a local framer, another option is to bring in a frame a few inches larger than your artwork and have them cut mats to fit! They should put it together as well. If it’s within your means, museum glass is a special kind of archival UV glass that is virtually invisible and will retain the quality of your art for much longer. I use all archival materials to ensure a long life, no matter how you choose to frame.

About me

Erin Arsenault

I’ve been a portrait artist since I first started drawing. Growing up in a small town in Prince Edward Island, Canada, I went from drawing characters out of my favorite nursery rhyme book to eventually self portraits. Portraiture continued to be my main interest as I covered my walls in sketches of Bjork, Tori Amos and Thom Yorke during high school. I later practiced disciplines such as painting, sculpture, graphic design to obtain my Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Fine Arts at NSCADU. After graduating, I found I needed a break from traditional art and branched out into art education, custom sewing, costume making and other mixed media projects. When my oldest son was born in 2014, however, I was constantly marveling over how perfect he was, taking roughly two hundred photos a day. A new appreciation for my ability arose as I began drawing portraits of my own child. 

Children’s portraiture really is my passion. From marshmallow necks to gap toothed grins, capturing their complexity is a joy.