Have a personal illustration made

You can commission a personalized illustration. For example, a personal illustration of a loved one, your family, or as a gift for a newlywed couple. You can also commission a personalized illustration as a farewell gift for someone retiring or as a gift for someone celebrating an anniversary.

With personalized illustrations, there are many possibilities. Consider the style: black and white or with color, detailed or a line drawing. Do you already have a size in mind? I can advise you on that too (including the frame).

If you're looking for a personalized illustration, feel free to email or call me. I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

Below you'll find some examples of portraits. You'll find plenty more inspiration on the rest of my website.

Personal illustration: as a gift to yourself

I created this personal illustration for Fiene. She was turning 13 and wanted a portrait of herself in the style of Chanel.

She also wanted her hamster, a shell chair, and two Chanel bottles drawn in. Because she loves Paris so much, I drew the city in the background. It's like a window into the future, where she still has a whole life ahead of her.

Personal illustration: as a gift to yourself

In this illustration the base is black and white and I added pink and blue as color accents.

Fiene with her portrait.

Illustration of a life: based on travels, old photos and memories

Shereen's parents asked me to draw their daughter's life up to the present as a surprise gift for her 25th birthday. They've lived in many places. I incorporated these memories into the drawing.

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

I've also incorporated the colors of the Surinamese flag (Shereen was born in Suriname) into the illustration, as well as many plants from Suriname and her birthplace.

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

I also incorporated childhood photos and a lot of details into the drawing, such as airplane stamps, small cans of Fernandes in the child's bike, or a jar with memories of playing in the neighborhood.

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

This drawing is made with colored pencils and black pen on 50x70 cm and framed on request in a 60x90 cm frame

persoonlijke illustratie op basis van foto's

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

She provided many photos, places, and moments for this illustration, and I was given complete freedom to incorporate them into the illustration. Shereen was thrilled with her personalized drawing.

Speed-up video of the drawing process.

This drawing is made with colored pencils and black pen on 50x70 cm and framed on request in a 60x90 cm frame

Personal illustration: based on a houseboat and memory

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

A couple met on this charming 100-year-old houseboat. Because they were moving to another boat, the couple's friend wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a drawing. A memento of the houseboat where they created wonderful memories. The coots were also a must-have.

The personal drawing includes the couple, the houseboat, and all sorts of small details. I based this drawing on photographs.

A reminder of the houseboat where they created some wonderful memories. The coots were also a must-see.

The personal drawing includes the couple, the houseboat, and all sorts of small details. I based this drawing on photographs.

The drawing is made in the size of 30X40 cm and framed in a frame of 40X50 cm

Personal illustration: based on old photos and memories

I created this illustration for a mother and daughter. The daughter was emigrating, and she wanted to surprise her mother with a personalized drawing of all the wonderful memories they made together.

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

She provided numerous photos, locations, and moments for this illustration, and I was given the freedom to incorporate them into an illustration for both of them. The mother received the original drawing, and the daughter a high-quality print of the illustration (A2 size) that she took with her to her new home.

Personal illustration based on photos and memories.

This drawing clearly shows the size of the work. Various sizes are available for a personalized illustration based on photos and memories.

Personal illustration: Stan's dream to open his own grand café (and it came true

On October 1st, Grandcafé Bij Stan opened its doors in Goirle. This fulfilled a long-held dream for Stan. He'd wanted his own Grandcafé since he was eight, and fourteen years later, that dream became a reality.

His parents didn't want to let this special moment pass them by. They surprised him with a personalized illustration of the restaurant, which not only depicts the building but also subtly incorporates his family. Using photos, I added details meaningful to Stan: from the interior to small memories from his childhood. A lasting reminder of a dream come true.

Stan with his personal illustration of the restaurant, which also shows his father, mother, sisters, both grandfathers and his grandmother on the terrace.

A look into the drawing process of this personal illustration.
The restaurant where Bij Stan is located is housed in a historic building. This video clearly shows how the building was constructed brick by brick, as illustrated in the drawing.

Using photos, I was able to stage the entire scene, as the restaurant wasn't open yet. It was a wonderful reaction from almost all the family members. Their reactions were warm and touching.

Here you see the personal illustration in full size, drawn in black ink.

The illustration as it hangs in Grand Café Bij Stan in Goirle.

Personal illustration: of a couple who were moving.

A couple was moving, and the friend wanted to surprise her boyfriend with a drawing to commemorate their former home. They had a wonderful time together in this house. Because they were moving, she wanted to preserve and pass on this wonderful feeling as a reminder. In the drawing, I incorporated their living room, roof terrace, special plants, their dog, and cherished memories based on photos. In this case, I also incorporated the Dom Tower and details from Utrecht.

Personal illustration: of a family and the countries where they lived.

This family has lived with their extended family in England, Australia, Switzerland, and Dubai. Now they live back in the Netherlands. To keep the memories of these countries alive for the youngest members of the family, the mother gave this drawing to her husband as a gift. Based on all the information and photos, I've compiled a picture of their journey. The journey takes place on their living room couch. I've included so much detail that the family can always discover something new.This drawing is made on A2 size paper with black pen.

Personal illustration: family as a portrait and wedding invitation.

A couple was getting married and wanted a portrait of themselves with their 3 children, dog and 3 chickens.They love nature, cycling and are a cheerful and happy family. The drawing is framed at 30x40 cm and also printed on the front of the wedding invitation.

Personal illustration: In this case the illustration is black and white and the color accents of their living room (where the illustration now hangs) have been incorporated into the illustration.

I also created the graphic design for the back of the card. If you'd like a card designed, that's also possible. I can also handle the contact with the printer if desired. In this case, the client received a proof first, and the cards were delivered to their home.

Personal illustration: a memory of the first date as a gift for her future husband.

They got married on the island of Mallorca, and she gave him a special gift: an illustration of a photo from their very first date.

It was wonderful to work on this personal illustration and to visualize their story.

The final result was received with great pleasure, especially because he hadn't expected it at all. She had already had me create the illustration in the Netherlands as a surprise for their wedding in Mallorca.

video of the drawing process and how the personal illustration came about.

Let's connect!

Would you like to commission a personalized illustration and are you looking for high-quality illustrative design? I'd love to make your idea tangible so you can make someone very happy with a personalized illustration. Contact me and I'd be happy to think along with you.

info@melaniedrent.nl

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Personal illustration: of a special place, memory or vision of the future

It's also possible to have an illustration made of yourself (or with family or friends) at a special location. Below is an example of our road trip through the western United States. In this case, the drawing was created before the photo: I created the illustration before we left for our vacation. In San Francisco, we then actually sought out that location.

When you commission an illustration of a specific location or vacation destination, anything is possible. You can incorporate memories into the drawing, capturing the entire experience in a single image. Or you can choose a vision of the future, a place you'd still like to visit.

Personal illustration: skating at Wollman Rink in New York

A year later, I also illustrated our trip to New York. I drew the location beforehand, and a few months later, we were actually skating on the ice at Wollman Rink.

Personal illustration: have Christmas cards made

I had Christmas cards printed from that illustration to send.
You can have this done too: a personal illustration to frame, and – if you wish – to use for your own Christmas cards.

Personal illustration: family

Personal illustration of a family

This mother wanted a portrait of her and her two daughters. They cherish moments together on the couch. Their two cats, their signature plants, a designer bag, and cups of tea were essential. I also drew each family member in their favorite clothing.

Want to commission a personalized illustration? Email me for more information.

Personal illustration:a portrait as a surprise for a family that was getting married.

A family with three children was getting married, and their sister gave them this drawing as a wedding gift. The illustration incorporates the family and elements of their hometown, Rotterdam, with the theme of "joie de vivre." The video shows how such an illustration is created.

Personal illustration: birth announcement

Illustration for a birth announcement:

I designed a unique birth announcement for a young family, celebrating their baby born in June. They wanted the illustration to not only be featured on the card but also suitable for framing.

Personal illustration: Front of the birth announcement

In the video, I explain my working method and show the final result of the birth announcement.

Personal illustration: for Julie

I made this illustration for 6-year-old Julie. A while ago, her parents asked me to make a large drawing for Julie. It was meant to depict the things she enjoys most at this point in her life. She was allowed to come up with everything herself. A time-honored document for the future. Julie drives a Ferrari, accompanied by her adoring dog, a horse, and paddle tennis rackets. In this illustration, you can also see her two cats, her favorite attraction, the Hollywood Tower Hotel, and a roller coaster. She was overjoyed when she received the drawing, and it now hangs above her bed. This illustration is (90 x 60 cm) in landscape format.

personal illustration: for Pim and Floor

Floor surprised Pim with a very special gift: an illustration of their former home, where they made so many wonderful memories together. The drawing is full of personal details, from their trips to Japan to their beloved Utrecht.

They hung the drawing in their new home as a reminder of this special period in their lives.

Pim and Floor's former living room.

This video shows even better how big the work is.
Size: 40 x 50 cm.

Pim and Floor's first reaction when they saw the illustration.

personal illustration:illustration for Debbie

I created this illustration for Debbie in Canada. She told me about her childhood, and especially how much she loved reading detective novels. She often sat in the tree with her dog. That tree was in their yard, and the memory of it was very special to her. Now she can always return to her plum tree.

persoonlijke illustratie jeugdherinnering

Personal illustration of a plum broom

Debbie and her plum tree

Let's connect!

info@melaniedrent.nl

Email for more information Call for more information