Graphite · Pencil · Since 1985

Hello fellow pencil art lovers!

The graphite legacy

Welcome to my little corner of the globe, where it's all about pencils and pencil art on paper.

As a practised Visual Artist for the past 20 years or more, I have had the pleasure of using some of the very finest drawing sticks available, as well as some…. not so fine.

The majority of the work you will see here is based on impulse and so hence the works widely vary in themes and sometimes style.

I push my pencils across the finest and very largest paper sheets with GSM (Grams per square metre) variations between 150-600.

I love the immediate delivery of expression on a surface that pencil gives you. With pencils it's more of a commitment that you have to work with more so than paint as such. Personally I find painting fairly easy to reconstitute and amend if needed, where there's only so many opportunities you have to correct pencils on paper before the paper is scarred beyond repair. Unless of course you're after that worn and damaged type of finish.

So go grab a pencil (preferably a decent one), some paper, shut your eyes and let your hand be guided by your emotions!

ENJOY!

Vinnie Gracanin 🙂

Born 1970Sydney, Australia

Signature portrait · graphite on Canson

20+

Years as a visual artist

1985–2018

Exhibition history

Solo cities · Sydney · NY · Melbourne

Brand ambassadorships

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The artist

Art only exists out of an impulse driven by normality/boredom of humanity, to some extent. He hopes that his art can play some part in taking people out of that normality and boredom...if they so wish! Vinnie Gracanin

Name: Vinetu (Vinnie) Gracanin
Born: 1970
Addictions: Breathing, eating, surf, snow, coffee, adrenaline, guitars, board sports, exceptional art and people.
Chosen Medium: Pencils on paper and Acrylic paint.
Sponsors: Caran d'Ache Pencils — Switzerland · Viponds Paints · Kadmium Art Supplies · Canson Fine Art Papers

Having been a long established artist in Sydney Australia, Vinnie has managed to sketch out a creative career from an art ability that was first noticed at the tender age of five. His early working days were very sobering, as he spent 4 years working as part of a Trauma Unit team in the hospital system. It was in the Operating Theatre and Intensive Care unit where he experienced both the tremendous impact life ending in many forms, as well as the energy of a beautiful new life, entering this world.

His experience in life has provided him with an endless supply of highly complex visuals and a provoking outlook on what life has to deliver. Vinnie has participated in a number of select exhibitions over the years and continues to do so when time permits, but has been far more interested in focusing his art to a place that is based on impulse and the subconscious, rather than the premeditated. He has two sides to this creative existence, one being a commercial reality of image creation according to direction by clients. The other side, is simply a freedom of expression with a simple process of pencil on paper, which is what he truly enjoys and feel is most natural.

He has worked with many alternative and traditional materials, which in turn provides him with many skills to add to an ever growing bag of options. His love of pencils goes back to his childhood and has certainly stayed with him over the years. In particular is the attention to detail and the very unique pencil finish he has managed to develop over the years, which has always had many who view the work wondering about the medium used. His art focuses on the surreal twists of the human condition and environment.

Charitable events

Cure Our Kids (Oncology Murals) 2003 — 60sqm
Cure Our Kids fund raiser — Sketches on request
Moooving art 2002 — raised $20,000 at auction for charity
Staedtler Australia Schools Expo — Pencil drawing clinics
Staedtler Easter show stand — 150 Easter rabbit sketches for the kids, 05/06
Make-A-Wish Art auction donation 07
2007 — St Lucy's Special Education Fund raiser — Art work donation 07/08
Barton Lynch's Blast Off Surf event 08/09 — Art work donation for charity
Padang Earthquake 09 — "Mermaid Gathering" in pencil for auction
2015 — Sydney Children's Hospital renovation make over with Channel 9 and A Current Affair. Donated 3 full wall murals for therapy treatment rooms valued at $15,000

The master's hand

2015 – 2017

Caran d'Ache

International ambassador; techniques featured as exemplary work in the Caran d'Ache Workshop Book, with drawing clinics and workshops.

2016

Canson

Ambassador for Canson fine-art papers.

Collaborations

Viponds · Kadmium · Staedtler

Ongoing collaborations with leading art-material brands.

Chosen Medium

Pencils on paper

Extreme detail and a finish atypical for graphite — extended into acrylic, wood, styrofoam and clay.

II.

The gallery of precision

Pencil Works

Graphite and Colour pencils on paper.

Large Scale Pencil & Paint murals

Work for adult audiences and productions.

Conceptual / Surreal

Dark & Light

Born This Way

No More Baby Teeth · graphite, 27×39"

Eye See You

One in the Same · Grafwood on paper

The Fullstop — Concept of Human Death

1995

Bronze Award — Commercial Art in Print

Bronze award for commercial art in print.

2006

Signature of Sydney — Most Popular Artwork

Finalist of the most popular artwork award at the Signature of Sydney competition.

2011

Black Swan Portrait Prize — Finalist

Finalist in the prestigious Black Swan Portrait Prize.

III.

Exhibitions, 1985–2018

1980s

1985

Schools combo exhibition — 5 works sold

1987

Combined Schools Art Spectacular — 3 works sold

1988

Southern regional gallery combined show

1990s

1997

Surf clubs Open Art festival

2000s

2000

Airbrush Australia Darling Harbour Expo

2000

Moooving Art International — 5 Cows commissioned for public exhibit

2001

George Patterson – Bates ad agency Moooving Art media event and show

2006

Signature Of Sydney Art invitational (Finalist — Sold at auction)

2007

Concrete Crayons Launch — Guest Artist in mixed show

2008

Signature of Melbourne

2010s

2010

Erotica 2010 — National Exhibition Qld

2011

Finalist — Black Swan Portrait Prize WA

2012

Large format pencil creations for solo show in New York City

2013

The Australian Art Show — Melbourne City Victoria

2014

Guest artist — SOHO New York

2015

Caran d’Ache Multi Product Ambassador

2016

Solo show: DRAWN TO YOU! Sydney Australia

2016

Caran d’Ache Multi Product Ambassador

2017

Caran d’Ache Multi Product Ambassador

2018

Caran d’Ache Multi Product Ambassador

Selected milestones across a 1985–2018 exhibition history; solo shows in Sydney, New York and Melbourne.

Testimonials

Vibrant, Complex, Intense, Beautiful, Challenging, Inspiring, Surreal and just Amazing….. are just a few words to describe Vinnie Gracanin's pencil art. Vinnie takes the medium of pencil art to a whole new level, which is always exciting every time he puts pencil to paper. A very talented Australian artist that STAEDTLER has been proud to be associated with over many years, and will continue to do so. A truly natural talent.

Margaret Savage, Marketing Manager · Staedtler (Pacific) Pty Ltd

I have known Vinnie Gracanin for nearly twenty years as a personal friend, an incredible artist and even as a sponsor of my surfing event for kids – BL's Blast Off. I first met Vinnie in the late 80s when he approached me about being a subject for a portrait for his entry in the Archibald prize. Over the years we have remained good friends and shared a love of surfing & art. Vinnie is a real character who always has a smile on his face and has an infectious personality. The most impressive thing about Vinnie is the broad range of his artistic styles and skills, he can do anything and always does it well.

Barton Lynch · 1988 World Surfing Champion & Sporting Hall of Fame Legend

It was late in the day when I received a phone call from a person advising me of this guy who was creating an enormous painting in Darling Harbour Sydney. I was intrigued so I decided to give him a call. Well within 30 seconds it was like talking to an old friend. He was funny, witty, very inspiring and most importantly, a mind blowing artistic talent! Vinnie and his art is a must see for anyone looking for something more than ordinary.

A. Valerio · Publisher, Australian Airbrush Art

VII.

Services

Graphite & Pencil Commissions

Original works — dark conceptual, surrealist portraiture, hyper-detailed graphite on Canson paper. Commissions considered from collectors and private clients.

Scenic Art & Large-Scale Murals

Large-scale murals for commercial and adult audiences. Set design and scenic painting for film, theatre, and staged productions.

Creative Direction & Conceptual Art

Complex visual concept development and creative direction for brand and commercial projects. Mixed media: acrylic, wood, styrofoam, clay, stone.

Workshops & Education

Pencil-drawing clinics (Staedtler Schools Expo) and ambassador-level technique demonstrations for students and enthusiasts.

VIII.

How we work

Enquiry

Tell me about your project

Conversation

Discuss vision & requirements

Concept

Initial direction & approach

Sketches

Detailed drawings for approval

Creation

Final work produced

Handover

Delivery & sign-off

"Work with people who love your work." — Vinnie Gracanin

IX.

Frequently asked

Do you take commissions?

Yes — commissions are considered from collectors who genuinely connect with the work. Contact to discuss scope and availability.

Do you work outside Australia?

Yes — Vinnie has exhibited in New York, Melbourne and Sydney, and has an international profile through Caran d'Ache and Canson.

What mediums do you work in?

Primarily graphite pencil on Canson paper. Also acrylic paint, wood, styrofoam, clay, and stone for sculptural and mixed-media works.

Why is your art so dark when you seem so positive?

"Art only exists out of an impulse driven by normality/boredom of humanity, to some extent". Dark themes are a deliberate artistic choice, not a reflection of personal turmoil.