Welcome to my pencil portraits corner
This is where Phil’s Arts and Crafts began. I drew these pencil portraits in Bolton a few years ago and I’m still proud of them.
Have a look around, and when you’re ready, there’s plenty more on the site.
Pencil portraits of people and pets
A few of my favourites, every one drawn by hand in graphite pencil
German Shepherd
Dog
Sir Winston
Churchill
Morgan
Freeman
Pug
Dog
Noel & Liam Gallagher - Oasis
Sir David
Attenborough
English
Bulldog
Msrvin Lee Aday
Meatloaf
John
Lennon
Ariana
Grandé
There are quite a few more drawings not shown here. Just ask!
Expression is individual
How my pencil portraits began
I’ve been sketching on and off since I was a kid, mostly Disney characters and pop stars. My dad, Roland, was a well-known local artist who worked in oils. I was never brave enough to follow him onto canvas, but I always loved picking up a pencil, even though I never thought my drawings were good enough to show anyone.
At 13 or 14 I offered to draw Beethoven for my music teacher. She hung it by the door of the classroom, where everyone passed it on the way in and out. I also remember drawing the classmate sitting opposite me. He was fed up with how long I was taking, but when I finished he said “no way”, and I took that as a compliment.
In 2020, during lockdown, I properly sat down to draw again, starting with our lovely late Labrador, Charles. I’d forgotten my technique, so I taught myself again from YouTube: using a grid for proportion, and learning hair, blending and layering. Bowie, Freddie Mercury and the German shepherd followed, and over the next two or three years I drew one portrait after another and picked up a couple of commissions through Twitter.
Then came DIY, my wooden animals and media archiving, and the drawings took a back seat. I still love looking back at my pencil portraits and seeing the improvement with each one.
I’ve never said never. If you’d like me to draw something for you, get in touch through my contact page and I’ll see what I can do.
Here's what I'm up to these days
If you like attention to detail in a drawing, you’ll get the same from my other work.
Media Archiving
Digitising VHS tapes and other old media, with care.
Voice & Audio Production
A warm northern voice for radio ads and idents, plus mixing for producers who send me their own voice and music files.
Woodcrafts
Bird boxes, garden pieces and gifts, all made by hand in my workshop and built to last.
Fancy a print, a drawing, or a chat about a project?
Prints aren’t for sale online any more, but just ask and I’ll see what I can do. I’m always happy to hear about your project.
Pencil Portrait Art & Prints FAQ
What size are the prints?
All prints in this curated collection are standard A4 size (210mm x 297mm). This makes them incredibly easy to frame, as A4 is a standard size widely available in most high street and online frame shops.
What is the print quality and finish like?
Every print is produced directly from my studio using high-quality, heavyweight 180gsm matte photo paper. I specifically choose a smooth matte finish because it completely eliminates surface glare and reflections, ensuring the fine details and subtle shading of the original graphite pencil work stand out beautifully once framed.
Are these original drawings or copies?
The items available on my storefront are premium print reproductions of my original hand-drawn artwork. This allows me to keep the art accessible and share these curated pieces with more people.
Do the prints come framed?
To ensure they travel safely through the post and to keep shipping costs down for you, all prints are supplied unframed. This also gives you the freedom to choose a frame style and mount that perfectly matches your own home decor.
Can I buy prints directly from this website?
No, all transactions to the UK are handled securely through my dedicated storefront on Crafter’s Market UK. When you click “Buy Prints,” you will be taken directly to that item’s page to complete your purchase safely and securely. The online store will open in a new window.
How much is delivery and where do you ship to?
I ship across the UK for just £1.99 via Royal Mail. International shipping cost will be calculated when you buy via my contact form. Shipping times are all clearly detailed on my individual item listings over on Crafter’s Market UK.
How are the art prints packaged?
Very carefully! Because graphite style prints are delicate, they are never rolled or bent into tight tubes. Instead, each A4 print is packed flat inside a protective sleeve and shipped in a sturdy, heavy-duty board-backed envelope to ensure it arrives at your door in pristine condition.
What is your return policy?
Customer satisfaction is incredibly important to me. While all sales are finalised through Crafter’s Market UK in accordance with their platform policies, if your print happens to be damaged during transit, please get in touch immediately through the shop portal so I can get it sorted for you. Returns on all standard art prints are in line with UK consumer law. All my shop policies are on my Crafter’s Market shop page.
Do you accept custom portrait commissions?
I am not currently accepting custom or personalised commissions at this time. I am focusing my studio time on expanding and drawing new pieces for this curated gallery collection. However, this may change depending on workflow and demand; so if you’d like me to work on a piece, click the button and….
Will you be adding more subjects or categories soon?
Yes! I sketch and work on new pieces in my studio when time allows. As the collection grows, I plan to expand the gallery into distinct categories like dedicated pet portraits, famous faces and British wildlife. Keep an eye on the page for new additions!