I Photograph Portraits Of New Yorkers And Use Them As References For My Colored Pencil And Pastel Drawings (15 Pics)

My name is Olya Nik. I moved to New York from Russia a few years ago and was amazed by the city’s vibe. I was happy to see people of all cultures and descents on the city streets who express themselves with their style so freely that I couldn’t resist making photographs and sketches and then completing the artworks in color at home.

I don’t have formal training in arts. However, I have always been interested in portraiture, and I have been sketching and drawing people and animals since my childhood. 

I started posting my drawings on Instagram a year ago when the lockdown happened. A theater where I directed a play at that time was closed, and I had to figure out what I wanted and could do in this situation. Posting my drawings was a solution for me, which attracted attention and people with the same interests.

I have a huge collection of drawings, which I keep posting to my Instagram often with a reference photo. I continue to create new paintings with colored pencils/pastels and watercolor. 

More info: Instagram

#1 The Bubble Makers At The Central Park

#2 A Man And A Great Dane In Soho, NYC

#3 West Village

#4 Midtown

#5 Beautiful Lady With Her Dog In NYC

#6 5th Avenue

#7 Boy With A Knit Beanie Looking At The Puppies

#8 By The Crosswalk

#9 Central Park West

#10 Self-Portrait At The Central Park

#11 The Scene At The Central Park

#12 5th Avenue

#13 The Met Museum Stairs

#14 Parrot On The Bike

#15 Bryant Park