Blog
Notes from my
studio.
I write about what I do - book illustration, portraits, hand-painted mugs, live painting. Slices of the process, advice for authors and couples, reflections from the work.
Illustration · 12 min
How to publish a children's book - the complete guide
What you need to know to publish a children's book - publisher vs self-publishing, editing, illustrations, print, ISBN, distribution and promotion. Step by step.
Illustration · 11 min
How to prepare a brief for an illustrator - a guide for authors
The brief is the foundation of working with an illustrator. What it should contain, what to avoid, how to describe characters and scenes - a practical guide for children's book authors.
Illustration · 10 min
The psychology of colour in children's illustration
How colours affect children's reception of illustrations. Warm and cool tones, contrasts, a palette by age - a practical guide for authors.
Illustration · 9 min
The 5 most common mistakes when commissioning book illustrations
Commissioning illustrations is a process full of traps. The 5 most common author mistakes and concrete solutions - from the perspective of a children's book illustrator.
Illustration · 12 min
The process of creating book illustrations - from sketch to final version
The whole book illustration process in 7 stages - from immersion in the text to final print files. Why good illustrations take time.
Illustration · 14 min
How to choose the ideal illustrator for a children's book - 6 criteria
Choosing an illustrator is one of the most important publishing decisions. 6 evaluation criteria, a practical checklist and traps worth avoiding.
Illustration · 10 min
How illustration differs from painting - a guide for beginners
Illustration vs painting - two art forms, two different goals. What connects them, what divides them, where the boundaries blur. A practical guide.
Live painting · 8 min
Live painting at a wedding in Warszawa - an artistic attraction in the heart of Poland
Live painting at a wedding in Warszawa means hand-painted guest portraits created live. See how this attraction fits into a capital-city wedding.
Live painting · 8 min
Wedding live painting or a wedding bartender, a drink bar at the wedding?
A drink bar is taste, live painting is an image. I compare both wedding attractions in terms of the keepsake's permanence, interaction and impact on the atmosphere.
Live painting · 8 min
Wedding live painting or a fireworks show at the wedding?
A fireworks show lasts 15 minutes, a portrait stays for years. I compare both wedding attractions in terms of permanence, emotion, costs and their effect on guests.
Live painting · 8 min
Wedding live painting or a caricaturist at the wedding?
A caricature in a few minutes vs a hand-painted portrait in a fairy-tale style. I compare both wedding attractions in terms of permanence, aesthetics and how guests receive them.
Live painting · 8 min
Wedding live painting or an illusionist at the wedding?
An illusionist amazes for 30 minutes, a portrait stays for years. I compare both wedding attractions in terms of interaction, keepsake and the atmosphere of the reception.
Live painting · 8 min
Wedding live painting or a wedding photo booth, a 360 photo booth?
A classic photo booth, a 360 photo booth and live painting - three wedding attractions, three different keepsakes. I show how they differ and how to match them to a wedding.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at a christening - an artistic way to capture an important day
A christening portrait created live - why it's worth it, what a day of painting looks like and what loved ones get as a keepsake from the celebration.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at a wedding - a unique attraction for the newlyweds and guests
Wedding live painting - how it works, how long a portrait takes, who gets a keepsake. I show behind the scenes what a day of painting portraits at a wedding looks like.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at a wedding in Tarnów - an artistic attraction that will enchant your guests
Live painting at a wedding in Tarnów means hand-painted guest portraits created live. See how this attraction transforms a wedding in this Lesser Poland gem.
Illustration · 9 min
How I illustrate a book - my step-by-step process
The whole book illustration process in my studio - from the first conversation with the author, through sketches and revisions, to print-ready files.
Live painting · 8 min
Live painting at a wedding in Rzeszów - art that creates unforgettable memories
Live painting at a wedding in Rzeszów means hand-painted guest portraits during the reception. See how this attraction turns a Subcarpathian wedding into an event.
Live painting · 8 min
Live painting at a wedding in Wrocław - an unforgettable attraction full of artistic charm
Live painting at a wedding in Wrocław means hand-painted guest portraits created live. See how this attraction turns a Lower Silesian wedding into an event.
Live painting · 8 min
Live painting at a wedding in Kraków - an unforgettable attraction for your big day
Live painting at a wedding in Kraków means guest portraits painted live. See how this attraction blends the atmosphere of Wawel and the Main Square with an artistic keepsake for guests.
Live painting · 8 min
Live painting at a wedding in Katowice - an artistic attraction that will delight your guests
Live painting at a wedding in Katowice means hand-painted guest portraits created live. See how this attraction turns a Silesian hall into an art gallery.
Illustration · 9 min
How a book is illustrated
The stages of illustrating a book in my studio - conversation, sketches, revisions, clean painting, cover and print preparation. A practical guide.
Painted mugs · 9 min
A personalized mug with a dog - how it's made
How I work on a hand-painted mug with a dog's portrait - from reference photos, through capturing the pet's character, to extra elements and lettering.
Painted mugs · 8 min
An original wedding gift
Hand-painted wedding mugs with portraits of the newlyweds as an original, personal wedding gift. Practical and sentimental at the same time.
Painted mugs · 8 min
Types of hand-painted mugs
The three materials I paint on: ceramic, glass and enamel. How they differ, who each is best for, and how they affect the end result.
Illustration · 8 min
Organising the workspace through an illustrator's eyes
How to organise an illustrator's studio in a small flat - separating work from rest, desks, cabinets, lighting. Practical tips from experience.
Painted mugs · 9 min
How are hand-painted mugs made?
The whole process of making a hand-painted mug - from the digital design, through transferring the sketch, painting with ceramic paints, to firing and quality control.
Illustration · 7 min
Illustration is a field of art
Is illustration an art equal to painting? An illustrator's subjective view on why illustration deserves to be called a work of art.
Painted mugs · 8 min
A mug for Grandmother's and Grandfather's Day
A hand-painted mug with a portrait as a gift for Grandmother's and Grandfather's Day - personal, practical, and one that won't be regifted or stashed in a cupboard.
Painted mugs · 8 min
A mug with your pet
A hand-painted mug with an animal's portrait - the pet alone, with its owner, a subtle accent or a full illustration. Ideas for personalization.
Illustration · 8 min
Original gifts for Mother's Day
Personalised Mother's Day gifts - hand-painted mugs with a portrait, portraits for framing, custom illustrations. Ideas from my studio.
Illustration · 8 min
Types of illustration - part II
The second part of the guide to types of illustration - pictograms and icons, book illustration, standalone artistic illustration. Focused on art.
Illustration · 8 min
Types of illustration - part I
The first part of the guide to types of illustration - photography as illustration, realistic illustrations, diagrams and technical illustrations.
Painted mugs · 8 min
What can I paint on a mug?
What designs I do on hand-painted mugs - my own ideas, your vision, inspiration from public-domain art, and what copyright law allows.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at trade fairs - draw attention and boost interaction
Live painting as a way to set your trade fair stand apart - how it stops visitors, generates leads and gives guests a unique keepsake from a B2B event.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at conferences - a novel way to enrich your event
Live painting as a conference attraction - how it engages participants during breaks, builds networking and gives the organiser a brand remembered for a long time.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at events in Katowice - an attraction that draws attention and inspires
Live painting in Katowice - portraits painted live at corporate events, trade fairs and galas. See how it works and what you gain by organising an event with live art.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at events in Rzeszów - art that engages and delights
Live painting in Rzeszów - live portraits at corporate events, conferences and galas of Subcarpathian companies. See how it works and what you gain by organising an event with art.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at events in Warszawa - art that delights in the capital
Live painting in Warszawa - live portraits at corporate events, galas and conferences. See how live painting works and what you gain by organising an event with art.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at events in Kraków - a remarkable attraction that engages and delights
Live painting in Kraków - portraits painted live at corporate events, galas and conferences. See how it works and how to add live art to your event.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at events in Wrocław - art that sets your event apart
Live painting in Wrocław - live portraits at corporate events, galas and launches. See how live painting works and what you gain by organising an event with art.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at events in Tarnów - an artistic accent for your event
Live painting in Tarnów - live portraits at corporate events and galas in the heart of Lesser Poland. See how to add live art to your event programme.
Live painting · 7 min
Live painting at the launch of a new product line - an innovative presentation of your brand
Live painting as an attraction for product launches - how it builds an emotional bond with the brand, generates content for social media and sets a B2B event apart.
Portrait · 8 min
Famous artists who painted animals - the tradition of the animal portrait
George Stubbs, Rosa Bonheur, Sir Edwin Landseer - the artists who shaped the tradition of portraying animals. How their work inspires today's pet portraits.
Portrait · 8 min
Animal portraits across cultures - symbolism and meaning
Lions in Egyptian art, dragons in Chinese, stags in medieval heraldry. How different cultures portrayed animals and what it tells us about their meaning.
Portrait · 8 min
Animal portraits - the most popular techniques
Oil, watercolour, digital art - which technique to choose for a pet portrait? A comparison of techniques from the perspective of an artist who works with animal portraits.
Portrait · 8 min
A custom pet portrait - how to capture an animal's character
A pet's character shows in the gaze, the pose and the details. What's worth thinking through before ordering a portrait so it truly reflects the animal's personality.
Portrait · 8 min
A pet portrait as a keepsake forever
The bond with a pet is a relationship worth preserving. A portrait holds an animal's character and keeps it in memory for years.
Portrait · 8 min
A dog portrait as a gift for a child
A pet portrait is a gift that strengthens a child's bond with the animal and teaches empathy. What such an image gives and how to prepare it well.
Portrait · 9 min
A custom portrait - how to order and what to prepare
A step-by-step guide through the process of ordering a portrait. Which photos to send, how to describe your vision, how long it takes. Everything you need to know before getting in touch.
Portrait · 9 min
A portrait as a gift in different styles
Realistic, semi-realistic or illustrative - which portrait style works best as a gift? A guide for anyone looking for an idea for a special present.
Portrait · 9 min
The history of animal portraits - from caves to today's studios
Animal portraits have been with us for thousands of years. How they evolved from cave paintings, through court art, all the way to today's custom pet portraits.
Portrait · 8 min
The benefits of a wedding portrait as a gift and how to personalise it
A wedding portrait as a gift is a present that stays for years. What's worth knowing about personalisation and what sets a good portrait apart from an average one.
Portrait · 8 min
A custom wedding portrait - a keepsake from a special day
A wedding portrait captures the emotions of the day in a way photography can't. How to order, what to prepare and what you get at the end.
Portrait · 8 min
A wedding portrait as an original gift for the newlyweds
Looking for a gift that won't get lost among the standard well-wishes? A wedding portrait is a personal, valuable present that will stay with the couple for years.
Portrait · 8 min
A wedding portrait as a piece of interior decor
A wedding portrait doesn't have to hang in the bedroom like a relic. How to fit it into the space of your home so it's an important but not overwhelming part of the decor.
Portrait · 8 min
Wedding portraits digital vs traditional - which to choose
A digital or a traditional portrait? A comparison of two approaches to the wedding portrait: cost, turnaround time, the possibilities and limitations of each technique.
Portrait · 8 min
Wedding portraits in watercolour - lightness and delicacy
Watercolour is a technique that beautifully captures the romantic mood of a wedding day. Why a watercolour portrait is worth considering and what sets it apart.
Portrait · 9 min
The best techniques for creating wedding portraits
Realism, impressionism, illustrative style - which wedding portrait style best captures the atmosphere of your day? A guide to the techniques and their uses.
Portrait · 9 min
How to choose an artist for a wedding portrait - a guide for the couple
The choice of artist shapes how you'll remember your wedding day. What to look out for when choosing, what questions to ask and what to expect from a good portraitist.
Start a project
Got a project? Let's talk.
I make art that stays - with emotion and attention in every project. Children's book illustration delivered worldwide, wedding and B2B event live painting across Poland - every project starts the same way: an inquiry, a conversation, a decision. Write to me directly. The Bujnowłosa studio is me and a decade-plus of practice.