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@staging2.erinarsenaultart.com before ordering to run some pictures by me. Thanks for stopping by!
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PORTRAIT OPTIONS
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.)
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.