The one that I like...

Love this custom that I recently illustrated for friend and wedding planner, Ashley of Oh My Occasions.  I mean, really, how romantic is this shot from their engagement session?  The whole collection was beautiful, but I couldn't resist this sweet moment.  The text comes from the song that was playing when they first met—isn't that darling?

Interested in purchasing a custom portrait (link here)? There's still time to get one before Christmas!

A New Jersey Bride

Another lovely custom.  Emilly and I connected over Instagram and it was fun to get to know her and then be able to illustrate this piece for them.  Their wedding was full of fun details!

Interested in a lovely piece for your own home?  Details here

Sweet Sixteen x2

These two beauties are celebrating their 16th birthday this month!  Cousins and best friends for life, they are only a day apart in age.  Mom/Aunt worked with me to create a fun gift for each of them: a custom portrait!

I'm just swooning over the polka dot tights and double t-strap heals!  These two are not only joined at the hip, but a stylish pair to boot.  Such a fun project, I couldn't resist sharing it with you all!

Fashionable Maiden

This week the blog is going to be a little portrait heavy as I have quite a few to share with you.

I partnered with a beautiful bride-to-be to surprise her maids and "brides-man" with a special gift when she asked them to stand by her on the big day!  I think that is such a fun way to "propose" to your bridal party.

She took care to pick outfits for herself and her maids to fit their personality.  It was so fun to illustrate a variety of styles and I am thrilled with how each one turned out.  I love this illustration (above) with the maid of honor.  The quilted silver high-low dress matches her fashion forward style and the bold belt on the bride coordinates beautifully.

Sometimes I wish the clothes that I draw would jump into my closet... no such luck.
Yet.

How did/will you "propose" to your girls?

Bridal Portrait: A Gentle Kiss

My favorite part about wedding season (besides for celebrating my own marriage and the new adventures that our friends are beginning) is the custom portraits!  This is a busy time for my little business as former bridesmaids, grooms and brides seek a unique anniversary gift for friends and family.
Capturing the beauty of the bride, the excitement of the moment, the sweetness of a gentle kiss... each drawing gives me the opportunity to celebrate with the happy couple and their families.

Interested in a portrait of you and your loved one(s)?  Grab some coffee, pick through some favorite photos and send me a line, we'll have your custom illustration hanging up in no time!

Illustrative Portrait: The Boho Bride

Just glamin' up your Monday blog feed with these newlyweds!
Custom portraits are available in the shop —> Etsy


All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission    

Getting Creative: Pregnancy Announcements

Some people are getting more and more creative with their wedding and pregnancy announcements!  I love getting a chance to celebrate with others as they reach exciting milestones.  Working together to create something that captures their personality and the exciting news!
I love being "in" on the big secret, but I don't have to worry about spoiling the fun by spilling the beans too early ;)

Custom portraits for pregnancy, engagement, or wedding stationery / print can be ordered here: KatrinaIllustration.etsy.com


All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission    

A Father-Daughter Portrait

I love, LOVE working on meanful gifts.
Hearing part of the story behind a portrait project gives me so much energy—like I am part of a wonderful scheme to bring a fun surprise to my client (or client's friend/spouse/sibling/etc).

This piece was certainly no exception.  After hearing the touching story of the father and daughter shown above, I was all in and very excited to partner with the girl's best friend to get this piece finished and delivered in time for Christmas.

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Portrait: M&M Fashion Bites

I was recently commissioned to draw a portrait of Maria and Marina from M&M Fashion Bites—a fashion blog based in Greece, and here is the result of our collaboration.
Like what you see? Looking for somethings similar for your own blog/social media?  Order your own HERE, I'd love to work with you :)


All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Portrait: The Red Headed One

A few years ago I began a portrait of my sister during one of my attempts to fulfill my mother's wish for a portrait of each of her 4 children.  None of my attempts have made it past sketch form, and I rarely get beyond a collection of reference photos.
However, this piece made it past the "sketch" and even was half complete as far as the colored pencil was concerned before I had to return to school and focus on more intimidating projects.  (Let's face it, moms are a lot easier to please than professors!)

I stumbled across the piece again this last year (about 3.5 years later) and kept it at the back of my mind.  Eventually, I was bitten with the desire to finish it and began working vigorously—praying that my lack of practice with both my prismacolor pencils and realistic portraits would not hinder me from finishing well.
I discovered that 4 year old prismacolor is very difficult to blend and thus the side of the face that is in shadow is much muddier than it should be—the more I blended, the more the pigment would flake off!  From now on, I won't allow my projects to sit around for years before I try to finish them!! (as a result of my recent experience, THIS piece will likely remain unfinished)

Anyway, what do you think of the finished result?  I know it's not perfect, but I'm pretty pleased considering that it's the first piece like this that I've done in ages!

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Sketch Dailies: Poison Ivy

I've spoken before about Sketch Dailies and the drawing prompts that they challenge artists all over the world with each week.  One of the subjects last week was Poison Ivy (Female villain from Batman if you are unfamiliar) and I was in the perfect mood to tackle a "bad girl".

Not that I was in a bad mood, but sometimes the villain has some attractions ;)  I posted this piece on my twitter earlier this week, but realized that I had not shared it with those in the blogging world.

This piece was done on pastel paper (thus the texture) with my beloved Prismacolor pencils.  I wanted to give Ivy a slightly more modern and modest look, like still keeping with the traditional costume.

All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

OOTDsketches (2)

 I thought I could get away with only posting my #OOTDsketches every month, but at this point there are getting to be too many to make a very enjoyable post!  Super long and grows kinda dull after a while...

That being said, I think that I will post the outfits that I sketch every Wednesday, featuring the work from the week before.  Too bad I didn't think of this earlier!  Either way, here's the first half of February for your viewing pleasure:

          All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission

Sketchbook: Saved For A Rainy Day

I am swimming in a pool of unfinished projects.
Sometimes, these incomplete pieces dishearten me, as I long for a spare moment to dedicate to the canvas (though, I often give the time I can get away with to my husband and family, so I can't really complain!).  On the other hand, I can't help but grow excited as I see the raw ideas still in their most exciting stages—that point where the final product can either be a huge success, or... a flop, haha

Anyway, since I have had an extra busy week, here's one of my unfinished pieces for you to muse over.

  All Items are (c) Katrina Crouch. Do not use without permission