the story so far
Welcome to Pencilfy
The sketchbook of Vanessa Millar — a personal space to share the journey into the world of pencil drawing…
Pencilfy is the sketchbook of Vanessa Millar — graphite and charcoal drawings of animals, flora and the world around us, and a blog about the journey behind every one of them.
During the recent pandemic I found myself at home a lot more. Working at home, enjoying home and having more time with myself. It gave me the space and freedom — and the idea — to resurrect my pencils, find an empty book and start exploring what I might be able to create on each of the vacant pages there.
I enjoyed what I did, and I am enjoying what I am producing. But most of all I am enjoying what I am discovering about myself and the journey of learning to sketch.
I hope you will get some enjoyment if you stop a while to peruse my gallery and blog.
About the artist
I’m Vanessa Millar, the artist behind Pencilfy. Everything here begins the same way — a blank page, a pencil, and a subject that catches my attention long enough that I want to understand it properly. Drawing is how I look more closely at things.
My work is mostly graphite and charcoal, in the quiet, unhurried tradition of the pencil. I draw animals and birds, flowers and woodland, portraits, landscapes and stage work — and I am currently illustrating a children’s book in coloured pencil.
Most of what I know has been learned at the kitchen table. I’m not formally trained — just persistent, and endlessly curious about what a stick of lead can do on a piece of paper.
will stand here — drawn, not photographed —
About this site
This is a personal gallery space to house, display and share my drawings, and a blog to share my journey into the world of drawing.
I plan to post a new project each week. During the week I will capture its progress. At the end of the week the finished product will move to the gallery.
I invite you to review my gallery and blog and participate in the wonderful world of pencil.
Discover just what you can do with a stick of lead on a piece of paper.
What you’ll find here
- The gallery — graphite and charcoal animals, portraits, and growing collections of flowers, landscapes and stage work.
- Coloured pencil — illustrations in progress for my children’s book, which I hope to self-publish.
- The blog — weekly projects, progress notes, beginner guides and the occasional challenge.
Copyright
The subjects of my work have been inspired by images, photographs or my personal observations.
All images created by Pencilfy are protected by copyright and are not to be used without permission. Every artwork is watermarked accordingly.