‘YungBlud’ amateur drawing

September 13, 2025September 13, 2025Leave a comment

Hi there! 😄 My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur ‘YungBlud’ drawing 💖 Hope you enjoy 💕

I printed off a photo of YungBlud at the library and blew it up to A3 size. I used my A3 light box again to trace the outline of my subject, and used Fine Art sketching pencils to sketch. The chosen image was definitely more complex than the previous Keanu Reeves portrait I drew, and it’s quite quirky, but I built it up bit by bit, trying also to visually portray YungBlud’s energy. The wild hair was quite tricky, and some of the other shading I found fairly difficult too. I feel the black and red checkered background, and contrasting green ‘halo’ aptly portray YungBlud’s bold rock star personality. Also, the black promarker outlines add a pop art effect, to which I am a great fan of… and here is the finished piece:

I admire YungBlud aka Dominic Richard Harrison, very much for how he uses his platform to spread love, of course he also is a very talented musician 💕 From my home town too, woop woop 🥳🥳

I don’t have a next portrait planned as such, but I have 5 diamond arts still to complete from last Christmas haha 😲😲🤣 So it might be a good idea 💡 to crack on with them, also we have a ‘Wicked’ Halloween 🎃 themed pub painting in October, so please do keep a look out… 😄😄

Thank you as ever to take the time to read/view. Many thanks, Lauren xx

Amateur Keanu Reeves drawing

September 6, 2025September 6, 2025Leave a comment

Hi there 😊 My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur Keanu Reeves portrait.. 💗💗

First of all, I used my A3 size light box to trace the outline of my blown up Keanu Reeves photo 📸 I sketched with Fine Art sketching pencils, predominantly 2B grade. I incorporated a Keanu Reeves quote I resonated with, and seemed apt. For the background, I chose two different shades of purple twinmarkers, pink for a love heart and slightly at the bottom and a black promarker to outline and distinguish the subject, quote and to create a block square background. Here is the finished result:

I have so much respect for Keanu Reeves. Not only is he a great actor (admittedly, not in all roles!), appearing for example as the protagonist in many action films, he uses his platform to help others and raise awareness of varying issues, a supporter of many charities. A philanthropic, wonderful human being, deemed as one of the most influential people on the planet. Hence why I was eager to draw a portrait of him 🥰🥰

With regard to the artistry of the portrait itself, I am only amateur, however I hope that with practice I can become over time more photorealistic, and back to the level I was many years ago… YungBlud will be my next pencil portrait, someone else I admire not only as a talented musician but as a kindhearted person 💗💗

Please keep a look out for my next post 😜 Thanks as ever for reading/viewing. Much love, Lauren xx

‘Sunset and Sunflowers’ pub painting

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025Leave a comment

Hi followers ❤️ My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur ‘Sunset and Sunflowers’ 🌻 pub painting…hope you enjoy! 💕💕

First of all (and definitely no way of getting this stage wrong!), we washed a watery white on the top of the canvas. We then incorporated light blues, pastal pinks, oranges and yellows, blended lightly with watery brushstrokes. This process was for the sky top part of the painting, and an emerald green then created for the meadow at the bottom. We dotted out brown circles where the big sunflowers 🌻 would be (their disc center) and started on the recognisable yellow petals, or ray florets. As the painting progressed, we added smaller sunflowers 🌻 in the distance, to an appropriate scale. To make the painting more 3D, we scooped on thick acrylic paint; yellow, orange and white petals. Also, abstract fluffy white clouds added an artistic touch to the piece. I was not satisfied with the small orange blobs to represent the disc florets, so I brushed more brown back in. The final step was light green and white lovely swaying stalks… and here is the finished piece:

This pub painting was an extra one, not located as usual in a Doncaster pub, but in a coffee shop Friday evening. Evidently, this explains why the progression photos are rather dark, yet the finished painting much lighter. I actually found this one much harder than the previous wonky donkey. I really struggled with forming realistic petals, mine are more round than defined. Nevertheless, even though not my favourite pub painting, it was still enjoyable and therapeutic 😄😄

Coming up, I’ve got two portraits ready to do, one of Keanu Reeves, one of YungBlud 💕 I would imagine maybe a diamond art 💎 🎨 or two also before the next Halloween 🎃 pub painting 💕

Thank you as ever for your support. Lots of love, Lauren xx

‘Dorothy the Donkey’ pub painting

August 22, 2025August 22, 2025Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of a pub painting wonky donkey I painted on Tuesday… hope you like! 🥰🥰

This time Becca, the teaching artist, decided to outline the shape of our donkeys on the canvas, as apparently otherwise it could have gone drastically wrong, haha 🤣 For some strange reason the background looks more a crimson red but it is actually a bright bold pink. It must have been the lighting. The eyes were first two brown simple circles until we added white dots and girlie eyelashes. The mouth, with its grey shades and black features, inclined to look like ‘Jack Skellington’ from ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’ (I can’t unsee it now!) 🤣 🎄 We incorporated thick brown brush strokes for the mane and fringe, and fluffy ears. Brown block colour first for the head and body. Then it was very free and expressive the strokes for the fur, with our medium brush, starting off with darker tones of brown to light brown, to white. More white definition around the eyes, and more block colour to the background, and hey presto, the painting was complete 🥰🥰

Although in some ways a more challenging pub painting, it was great fun 😄 We have an extra ‘Sunflower’ pub painting this month, it’s tonight actually, so watch this space 😜

I am also to start a ‘Keanu Reeves’ and ‘YungBlud’ pencil portrait, and there will probably be another diamond art 💎 🎨 or two before the next pub painting in October for Halloween 🎃

Thanks as ever for reading/viewing. Lots of love, Lauren xx

‘Bonnie the Bunny’ Easter themed pub painting

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025Leave a comment

Hi everyone ☺️ My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur Easter themed bunny pub painting..hope you enjoy 💕💕

The first step was to outline the shape of the bunny’s body, and apply a beige block base colour. This sounds simple but it was actually quite difficult, and the most technical part of the whole painting. I struggled with the eyes unfortunately being too far up, so I had to alter the bunny cheeks to make the shape look more in proportion. Before this, she looked a bit like ‘Pikachu, from pokemon’ ha 😆 Likewise, I got the nose/mouth area completely wrong and not in proportion either. I left the paint to dry and then rectified. She looked more feminine with cute black eyelashes 🥰 The most enjoyable step however was building up a multitude of bright colours for the bunny’s fur; working very loose and random to ascertain a very abstract style. Moreover, it was so fun splattering the pale background various vibrant colours, it was so unpredictable and exciting 🩷💚💙💜💛❤️ I accidentally splattered her left eye, but this was easily sorted. I incorporated more yellow in the ears (a lighter colour), and created shade with the colours, different light and dark tones in different places. I also created definition with black paint strokes, black fur, and black whiskers. As a little finishing touch, I painted her nose a gorgeous dark pink.. and here is the finished piece:

I must say this was my favourite of all the pub paintings! It was so enjoyable and suited my personal paint preferences, loose and sort of abstract expressionism, free and spontaneous.. I am so pleased with this Easter bunny 🐰

For my next UnicornPostbox blog post, I am on with a ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed diamond art 💎🎨 .. so watch this space!

Thank you as always for reading/viewing. Kind regards, Lauren xx

‘Robyn and Matty’ amateur couple portrait

March 1, 2025March 1, 2025Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur couple portrait.. Hope you like!

First of all, I used my light box to outline the two subjects (such a cheat! 🤣). I shaded using Derwent professional sketching pencils. The background I incorporated red love hearts ❤️❤️ to fit with the romantic theme, and used a professional colour marker pen to turn the whole background dark purple. I also outlined Robyn and Matty and the love hearts with a black promarker pen. I am a big fan of pop art, and love this sort of style.. and here is the finished piece:

Matty and Robyn are a new couple, and great friends of mine. They paid me £20 to do this portrait of them, to put towards my fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research (I am doing a 5K tough mudder in July in loving memory of my beautiful mum)

Although admittedly I am only amateur and not professional, and I made this clear to them, they were both chuffed with the drawing, and are planning to photocopy it so they both have a copy each. I believe also they are going to get them framed 😁😁

For my next UnicornPostbox blog post, I have started an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed diamond art and the Easter pub painting is a bright colourful Easter bunny 🐰 So that will be fun! We also have theatre shows coming up in the next few months 💕💕

Thank you as ever for reading/ viewing. Kind regards, Lauren xx

Valentine’s Day amateur couple portrait

February 16, 2025February 16, 2025Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur portrait of me and my boyfriend Aaron, as a surprise gift to him for Valentine’s Day.. hope you like! ❤️❤️

I used a light box (cheat lol) to outline me and Aaron. I drew with Derwent professional sketching pencils, mainly HB and 2B. To keep with the Valentines theme, I incorporated red love hearts, made bold with a black promarker pen, I also drew a black line around me and Aaron, to make the images ‘pop’ (I’m a big fan of pop art). To finish, a professional blue colour marker pen coloured the entire background. I also purchased a lovely red frame to display…And here is the end result:

I took me a few days to complete, which isn’t too bad to be fair ❤️❤️

I am advertising if anyone else would like an amateur couple portrait, to put towards my fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research (I am doing a Tough Mudder in the summer in memory of my beautiful mum who sadly lost her long battle with this awful disease) 😢

My next blog post is a travel blog of mine and Aaron’s first Valentine’s weekend in Sheffield 💕💕

There is a new Easter bunny themed pub painting in March, and no doubt I’ll soon be on with another diamond art 💎🎨

Thank you as ever for viewing/reading. Much love, Lauren xx

Cubist Picasso inspired amateur ‘Paint Your Pal’ Pub Painting

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of a Cubist Picasso inspired amateur ‘Paint Your Pal’ pub painting.. hope you like!

One of the most influential styles of the 20th century was Cubism. Pablo Picasso co-founded the cubist movement in 1907-8, Paris, with Georges Braque. Essentially it involves abstract forms which are depicted in many different viewpoints, with multiple perspectives and fragmented angles, like looking through a kaleidoscope.

My amateur Picasso inspired ‘Paint Your Pal’ painting has elements of this I believe, such as within the face. In hindsight however, I believe the background is more reminiscent of Piet Mondrian’s work, which was inspired by Cubism. Mondrian is the pioneer of abstract art, with his grid structures and use of geometric forms.

Nevertheless, this was a very enjoyable exercise 😁😁 Usually in pub painting, we are guided step-by-step by our art teacher Becca. Whereas with this painting, we were encouraged to experiment and use our own imagination. Some people tried a more realistic approach painting their pal/partner, but me and Denise were decisive we were definitely going to go all abstract! With bold colours and bold black lines to distinguish the shapes 🥰

We could use any colours we wanted and design it any way we wanted..so very free, and explorative.. great fun! 😁😁 It does still resemble Denise however I think, with her curly gingery hair, ha! 🤣🤣 Denise’s portait of me is very cubist!

For the next pub painting it is an Easter bunny 🐰 themed one in March… I have so many diamond arts to be getting on with 💎🎨 but I am also on with a pencil portrait drawing…so watch this space!

Many thanks as ever for reading/viewing.. Much love, Lauren xx

Amateur portrait of Robin Williams

July 14, 2024Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur Robin Williams portrait.. hope you enjoy! 😄😄

Firstly, I used my light box (cheater ha!) to outline Robin Williams’ head, then started to shade around the eyes, ears area, etc. I love the film ‘Dead Poets Society’, so I incorporated a very poignant famous quote into the design. I then created a square grid, and used blue, purple and green promarker pens to brightly colour the background. Also, I used a black marker to differentiate the squares, the quote and Robin. A yellow bubble around the quote, and a space at the bottom for my artist signature…I very much like pop art and I feel this has a resemblance to the movement..and here is the finished piece:

I am very pleased with the way this one has turned out! I think I have captured a likeness 😊 I intend to draw more celebrities/ actors/ actresses/musicians I like etc, and build up a portfolio 😊

I have a gorgeous Peacock diamond art to start 💎🎨 and a new pub painting at the end of the month, so watch this space! 🥰

As always, thank you so much for reading/viewing..take care, Lauren xx

‘Doorway to Italy’ amateur pub painting

June 19, 2024Leave a comment

Hi everyone! My latest UnicornPostbox blog post is progression photos of an amateur ‘Doorway to Italy’ pub painting..enjoy! 😄

To begin with, we horizontally outlined the bottom pale yellow, then blocked out where the green Italian door would be. We brushed more washed down brown paint for the flooring, and incorporated a little step. Then we undercoated the Italian door block emerald green. A cute little pot, and foliage added. We then gave the door white highlights and began dotting out where the flower canopy would go. We used a new technique with a palette knife, layering up abstractly the deep pink, bright pink and white flowers/ emerald green leaf vines. It was really cool to try something new! Blue shimmer stained down the Italian door to make it look trendy, and we distinguished black lines to shape it. A few little finishing touches, such as daisies in the plant pot/bush, white highlights… oh, and the faintly outlined bricks, and here is the finished result:

It was really fun doing something a little bit different i.e with the palette knife! To be honest, this was one of the hardest pub paintings to do, as there were so many stages 😊 I do really like it however and I can’t wait to do the next pub painting the end of July. It is called ‘Sunkissed river’ and the template looks absolutely beautiful 😍 Rebecca is such a talented artist 🎨 and it is fantastic learning from her, she’s so lovely and down to earth too…

So yes, keep a lookout for the next pub painting! Also, my sister has asked me to please do a portrait of the late Amy Winehouse (she loves her 💓) and I also have a sunset diamond art 💎🎨 to start…so watch this space!

Thank you as always for viewing/reading 🥰 Lots of love, Lauren xx

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