John Hanley
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johnhanleyart.bsky.social
John Hanley
@johnhanleyart.bsky.social
40 followers 25 following 48 posts
Welcome to John Hanley ART. I am an award winning graphite pencil artist based in south Lincolnshire, UK. Specialising in animal art
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johnhanleyart.bsky.social
This morning, I finished the first Giraffe of my Giraffe commission, and made a start on the bottom left Giraffe. Their faces are so full of character and I love creating the contouring.

Graphite pencil on A3 extra smooth bristol paper.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #wildlife #AnimalArt #giraffe
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
I thought I'd show you the whole drawing composition, so you can get a sense of scale. I should be able to start the second Giraffe in the bottom left corner next week.

Graphite pencil on A3 extra smooth bristol paper.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #wildlife #animalart #giraffe #weekend
November 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
This little Otter, which I've called Star Gazer, was requested by the UK Wild Otter Trust for their November online auction fundraiser.

Graphite pencil on A5 extra smooth bristol paper.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #wildlife #otter #charityevent #animalart #pencilart
October 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
I was so sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of Jane Goodall at age 91, yesterday. Jane was considered the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, having studied the social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees for over 60 years.
October 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
This early drawing of Mia looking out the window was one of my first cat drawings. It went on to win Highly Commended in the SAA Beginner Artist of the Year 2023. It will be part of the Louth Art Show in October 2025.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #cats
July 29, 2025 at 6:02 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
'Night Guardian' is now finished.

Graphite pencil on 8 x 5.5 inch extra smooth bristol board. Photo reference Les Liddle.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait #lions
July 3, 2025 at 5:26 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
"Watching, Waiting" is now finished. This little Macaque will be my submission for the Explorers Against Extinction's Sketch for Survival 2025.

Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol board. Reference Susan Roghair.

#art #artist #pencilart #pencildrawing #drawing #wipart #wildlife #portrait
June 28, 2025 at 7:52 AM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Today, the longest day, 21st June, is World Giraffe Day. Longest neck, longest day celebration

This drawing of a Giraffe has been donated to the Association of Animal Artists charity auction, helping to raise funds for the Wild Welfare Carity.

#giraffe #giraffeconservation #WorldGiraffeDay
June 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
The sunlit trees in the background of this Long Tailed Macaque is finished. Tomorrow, I'll make a start on him proper, what I call stage-2. Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol board. Reference photo Susan Roghair.

#art #artist #pencilart #pencildrawing #drawing #wipart #wildlife #portrait
June 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
When finished, this Lioness will be donated to the Association of Animal Artists' Charity Auction in August.

Graphite pencil on 8 x 5.5 inch extra smooth bristol board. Photo reference Les Liddle.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait #lions
June 9, 2025 at 3:57 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
As I edge closer to finishing the background, it reminds me how Macaques have been described as a species on the edge. Not only living on the edge of forests, rivers, seas, and at the edge of human settlements, but, perhaps on the edge of rapid extinction.

#art #artist #pencilart #pencildrawing
June 5, 2025 at 5:40 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
'Pucker Up' my little Giraffe drawing for an August charity auction is finished.

Graphite pencil on 5.5 x 8 inch extra smooth bristol paper. Photo reference Dave Scanlon.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #wipart #portrait #giraffe #giraffelove #giraffeart
May 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
This is 'Joy & Regret'. It is the depiction of two opposing emotions coexisting together, the Joy of life with the Regret of captivity.

Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol board.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait #chimpanzee #AOTY
May 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Hope you all had a great weekend. My Chimpanzee artwork 'Joy & Regret' is almost finished. One more day.

Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol paper. Photo reference Andrea Neuhaus

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait #chimpanzee
May 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Got a bit more done today. Tomorrow I'll be starting the muzzle.

Work in Progress. Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol paper. Photo reference Andrea Neuhaus

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait #chimpanzee
May 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
A quick progress update on the Chimpanzee, 'Joy & Regret', which, represents the coexistence of two opposite feelings, Joy & Regret. In this case, the Joy of life and the Regret of captivity.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait #chimpanzee
May 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
It's been three years since I picked up a pencil and started drawing. I don't get to post cat portraits very often, so I thought I'd celebrate with the four cats I've had the honour of drawing over that time. Have a wonderful Bank holiday Monday.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #realism #pencilart #cat
May 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
I just found out (from a fellow artist) that, 'Distant Shores' has won Best in Show in the Camelback Gallery 'Artists Invitational 11 Art Awards'.

Graphite pencil on A3 extra smooth bristol paper. Reference photo Zukiman Mohamad.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #seascape
April 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
After working in the garden today, I made a start on the Chimp. I always start with the darkest darks, so, first finger done!

Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol paper. Photo reference Andi Neuhaus

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait
April 22, 2025 at 5:01 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Hope you're having a great Bank Holiday. Love seeing and being sent photos & videos of my protraits being gifted. This is the family portrait of Great Grandma and her Great Grandsons being gifted to the boys Grandma.

#pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #art #artist #portrait #localbusiness
April 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Made great progress on starting this Chimpanzee wildlife portrait today, outline, and background done.

Graphite pencil on A4 extra smooth bristol paper. Photo reference Andi Neuhaus

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #wildlife #localbusiness #wipart #portrait
April 16, 2025 at 3:33 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
You're probably asking, John, what did you do for World Art Day? Well, I finally finished the family portrait commission.

Graphite pencil on 24 x 16.5 inch smooth bristol paper. Reference photos client.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #pencilart #realism #portrait #portraiture #WorldArtDay
April 15, 2025 at 4:12 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Today, 11 April 2025, is International Pet Day. To celebrate, here's a small selection of my recent pet portrait commissions.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #portrait #internationalpetday
April 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Getting close to finishing this wonderful family portrait. I'll spend the next few days on Great Grandma's blouse before finishing her hair and some areas I'm still not happy with.

Graphite pencil on 24 x 16.5 inch smooth bristol board.

#art #artist #pencildrawing #realism #wip #portrait
April 9, 2025 at 2:47 PM
johnhanleyart.bsky.social
Did you know that today, 8 April 2025, is "Draw a Bird Day". To celebrate the joy of art and the beauty of nature, people across the globe are encouraged to draw a picture of a bird. If you have drawn a bird, why not celebrate with me by sharing your drawing on social media.

#drawabirdday #art
April 8, 2025 at 2:51 PM