Custom Portraits and Hand-painted Illustrations
I turn your stories and memories into art. From coffee-stained portraits to spontaneous charcoal sketches, let’s capture what really matters to you.
This is a time-lapse of a portrait I painted using only coffee. The natural sepia tones of the coffee create a unique warmth and depth, making it a perfect medium for a personalized commission.
This is a time-lapse of a portrait I painted using only coffee. The natural sepia tones of the coffee create a unique warmth and depth, making it a perfect medium for a personalized commission.
A collection of some of my portrait sketches. I enjoy exploring different faces and expressions, often using simple tools like charcoal or pencil on post-it notes to capture a fleeting moment.
A collection of some of my portrait sketches. I enjoy exploring different faces and expressions, often using simple tools like charcoal or pencil on post-it notes to capture a fleeting moment.
A collection of some of my portrait sketches. I enjoy exploring different faces and expressions, often using simple tools like charcoal or pencil on post-it notes to capture a fleeting moment.
A collection of some of my portrait sketches. I enjoy exploring different faces and expressions, often using simple tools like charcoal or pencil on post-it notes to capture a fleeting moment.
Here's a quick charcoal sketch of a friend on a post-it note. These small, spontaneous portraits are a fun way for me to practice and to share a little piece of art with someone.
Here's a quick charcoal sketch of a friend on a post-it note. These small, spontaneous portraits are a fun way for me to practice and to share a little piece of art with someone.
I often use friends as muses for my portrait practice. This is a quick sketch where I tried to capture her likeness and personality with just a pencil and some simple background patterns.
Sometimes I sketch characters from books as I imagine them. This is my interpretation of a character described as 'lank, gaunt, and of indeterminable age', an exercise in bringing words to visual life.
About Custom Portraits & Illustrations
When I work on a portrait, we start with a conversation about the person or moment, not just a reference photo. I often use unconventional mediums like coffee for a warm, sepia-toned finish, or simple charcoal on small notes to keep the expression honest and raw. Because I believe art should be a dialogue, I include a rough sketch phase to make sure we are both happy with the direction before I commit to the final details.
My Approach to Your Story
I do not just draw faces; I look for the energy behind them. Whether you want a realistic portrait of a loved one, a whimsical illustration of a pet, or a memory from your favourite travel spot, my goal is to give you something that feels real.
Mediums & Techniques
I love playing with different materials because each one tells a different story.
- Coffee Painting: Using coffee as a medium adds a unique, sepia-toned warmth to portraits that you just cannot get with standard ink.
- Charcoal & Graphite: These are my go-to tools for raw, honest sketches. They capture light and shadow in a way that feels intimate.
- Digital Illustration: If you need a high-res file for invitations or prints, I use Procreate to keep the hand-drawn, tactile feel of my physical work.
The Process
Everything begins with a chat. You share the memory, the vibe, or the photo, and we decide on the best medium. For physical works, I use high-quality 300 GSM acid-free paper to ensure your art lasts. My turnaround time for custom work is usually 3 to 7 days depending on complexity, and I always ensure the final piece is protected with fixatives so it reaches you in perfect condition.
Whether it is a sketch on a post-it note or a detailed canvas commission, I am here to help you turn a moment in time into something you can hold.
Madhuri Umashankar
I am Madhuri. I am a self-taught artist who thinks art should not come with 'do not touch' signs. I love capturing people in charcoal or coffee, creating portraits that feel like a real conversation instead of a static drawing.
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