People and families
“Jazmyn,” portrait commission, 2020 by Helen Grey
Faber Castell Polychromos and Prismacolor Pencils on 8”x11” 220gsm cotton card.
Jazmyn was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia when she was 3 years old in 2016. By May 2018 she had undergone 840 days of treatment. She will be cancer free in 2023. Referenced from client supplied photo and shared with permission.
“Dragos,” graphite pencil portrait, 2019 by Helen Grey.
Dragos sadly passed away shortly before this portrait was completed. He was a talented scientist, who later became a secondary advanced mathematics teacher. He was a giant of a man with a cuddly and cheeky side that peeked out among friends and loved ones. This portrait was completed as a surprise gift to his daughter and wife days before Father’s day. He will be sorely missed.
“Layla and Pop,” 2019 portrait.
Coloured pencil on 8”x11” white card.
This was commissioned as a gift from one friend to another. Little Layla will sadly never meet her Pop as he passed away before her birth. To complete this portrait, Helen used old photos of Layla’s grandfather/Pop, and ‘aged’ him slightly to match him to what he would hopefully look like if he were here today.
Image shared with family permission.
“Layla,” 2019 portrait.
Watercolour paint on 8”x11” white card.
Image shared with family permission.
“Bubby Mark,” 2013 by Helen Stebbins (Grey).
Helen completed this portrait in 2013 prior to her name-change in 2016. This is of her younger brother when he was little, and was drawn as a Father’s Day gift for their Dad.
“Molly and Dad,” portrait commission, 2019 by Helen Grey
Faber Castell Polychromos and Prismacolor Pencils on 8”x11” 220gsm cotton card.
This piece was commissioned as a custom composite piece whereby a number of photos were supplied to help create this final piece. x2 photos of Molly were provided, one primarily used to reference her body, and another for a clearer head. For Simon, “Dad”, one main image was used for his body posture, arm and general head reference. Another image was used for his facial details. His shirt and pants were drawn in custom. This was commissioned as a surprise for him for Christmas after Molly passed away. Referenced from client supplied photos and shared with permission.
“Zoe,” 2018 portrait.
Prismacolor Premier pencils on 8”x8” white card.
Image shared with family permission.
“Bowtiful Sofia,” 2019 8”x11” graphite and coloured pencil portrait.
This mixed media portrait was commissioned at the end of 2018 and completed at the start of 2019. It is of beautiful Sofia, who sadly passed away due to complications from 22q and CHD (chronic heart disease). Image shared with family permission.
“Father of the bride,” 2018 portrait.
Graphite and coloured pencil on 11”x17” white card. Ron sadly passed away before his daughter’s wedding. As a gift from her sister, this portrait was commissioned using photos of him from their engagement and ‘free hand’ drawing to try and create a memory that sadly could not occur.
Image shared with family permission.