I’ve Drawn Hundreds Of Portraits Of My Friends For Their Birthdays

My name is Paul Russel. I used to work in video games as a 3d artist for Bungie, working on the Halo series from 1998 to 2010, also suggesting the word ‘halo’ for the franchise (my friends like me to mention this fact). The long hours and a lifelong battle with anxiety and depression took their toll, and in 2012 I burned out. It’s an occupational hazard.

For a year or so, I had lost the desire to create artwork. Around 2014 I decided to start illustrating again for the first time in over 20 years. But what to draw? I needed to draw something daily, from a photograph or life.

Around the same time I had run out of creative ways to say “Happy Birthday!” to my friends on Facebook.

The two needs collided in my head, so I picked up a pencil and paper and started drawing.

I’ve done close to 800 now, and figured I’d share a small percentage with the world.

I’ve talked to a few people going through similar things, and I tell them that this is a good way of using art to create or strengthen a personal connection with people they love. I think this has saved my life, and I hope you enjoy it.

I also have a patreon if you want to throw a buck a month my way (I don’t ask for more), and get a birthday portrait for yourself (make sure to include some photos of yourself!).

More info: patreon.com

Johnathan

Shiek

Lauren

Jason

Katie

Lola

Dannie

Josh

Mike

Sarah

Bill

Diana

Dan

Donna

Lee

Marcus

Beth

Coco

Miette

Raphaela

Matt

Jay

Max

Vapid

Laura

Patricia

Matt

Nate

Hannah

Dean

Jennie

Christiana

Marlene

Allen

Katie

The other Kristen Bell

Alicia

Pascal

Keely

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