Have your photo turned into a masterpiece.
Transform your existing portrait photo into a captivating and timeless hand-drawn graphite portrait. Each piece created with precision and care, ensuring a stunning result that you can hang on your wall with pride or gift to that special someone.
My Service
Hi, my name is Ryan and I am an autistic artist specializing in transforming existing portrait photos into elegant hand drawn graphite portraits.
It could be a portrait of a beloved cat or dog and can be a lovely way to remember them once they have gone. It could be a portrait of your children, parents, a family photo or of grandparents to hang with pride in your home or to give f the perfect birthday or Xmas gift.
I understand that my portrait’s are more than just a piece of art they are a cherished memory, a representation of a moment in time that you want to hold onto forever. I therefore take great care and pride in my work, with excellent attention to detail so that I can create for you a unique one-of-a-kind masterpiece that you will hopefully take pleasure in for years to come.
I believe that everyone deserves to have a beautiful portrait of their loved ones. That's why I offer affordable pricing and a variety of portrait sizes to suit your needs. So, if you're looking for a unique and thoughtful gift for yourself or someone special, a portrait from Graphite Memories could be perfect.
My Story
Hello,
Let me introduce myself, my name is Ryan Jones and I would very much like to give you an introduction of how my journey began. I was diagnosed with Autism at an early age which I struggled with speech and language and was classed as non-verbal. With my poor communication skills, I started to draw everything I saw with the hope of me being able to communicate better with my family, especially my mother who has guided me throughout all the obstacles that I had encountered from my yearly years up until now. My drawing abilities started from my particular interest with an everyday object we see on the roads (Road Traffic Lights). I was so mesmerized with the sequence of the traffic lights; I would quite often draw them on a daily basis as a way of communication. Gradually my mother and my family would start to understand my way of communicating with them through my drawings.
Away from my love of drawing, my other passions in life are my hobbies, I like talking long country walks (I find this helps me think better), swimming helps me to relax as I also suffer from anxiety and I love watching a good movie in the cinema with my family as I feel it helps me to feel more secure. I have been praised on my unique style due to the way I hold my pencils and start my portraits from the eyes, not an outline of the face - you can see my drawing style by viewing my video reels on my Instagram or TikTok accounts. But to me it's just the norm since I was a young child and I need to be able to draw and write in my preferred way. I often have stalls at craft fairs and pop-up shops, so keep an eye out for any upcoming events on my social media pages or on my Blog page.
I left college with levels 1,2 and 3 diploma with distinction in art and design. Whilst studying at college I was entered into Eisteddfod Yr Urdd in Maldwyn 2024 in which I won 1st place in the local heats and national judging and received a gold medal and several certificates. Whilst studying at college my family and I were invited to the Gower College student awards 2024 where I was presented with the award of Visual Arts Student of the year 2024. I was also commissioned to produce a personal portrait which was presented during the awards ceremony ( some images of which are available to view on my Blog page).Over the 3 years that I have studied art in college, I have had the pleasure to have my solo work displayed at Swansea Arena in 2023 and again in 2024. I’m passionate about my work and I put a lot of care into each portrait. I hope that my sketches bring joy to the people who view them and that they will be treasured for many years.
My Achievements
During my time studying at Gower college - Llwyn Y Bryn campus, I have had the pleasure of viewing exhibitions showcasing my work at Swansea Arena in 2023 and 2024 in which pictures of the events are on view in the slide-show above.
The College also entered my self-portrait into the Eisteddfod Yr Urdd in Maldwyn 2024 and not only did I receive several certificates for my entry piece, I was also awarded a gold medal which I am extremely proud to be the recipient.
My family and I were also invited to attend the annual college awards in June 2024, and at the ceremony I was named as the recipient of the Visual Arts Student of the Year award for which I am eternally grateful to receive.
In December 2024 I decided to take part in a local competition where you can use any medium in art to create a portrait of a celebrity. The competition is called 9to90 Creative community which is held at G S Artists Gallery in Swansea. Bonnie Tyler agreed to participate as the celebrity for which art would be created in the form of a portrait by either painting, drawing or crafting. Out of many entries my portrait of Bonnie Tyler was announced as the winning entry in the adult category. Not only am I extremely proud at being the winning artist, I also had the pleasure of having my work being in an exhibition at the G S Artists Gallery.
A Truly Personal Service
Bespoke Artwork
At Graphite Memories, I understand that every portrait and every subject is unique. That is why I put my artistic abilities to work to create portraits that go beyond a simple photograph.
Attention to Detail
I take pride in my ability to bring out the individuality of each subject, capturing their essence in every stroke of my pencils. My portraits are more than just a likeness; they are works of art that will be cherished for generations to come.
Prompt Service
Every commission I receive is handled as professionally and efficiently as possible, with communication being an important part of Graphite Memories to ensure every customer gets the best service possible. While I am responsible for creating any requested portraits, please be advised that all communication will be handled by personal family members acting on my behalf due to my ASD – however, rest assured that I have a hand in every commission that is requested and all correspondence will be brought to me to verify customers get the right information back.
