A realistic pencil drawing of two men wearing New York Yankees baseball shirts and caps, standing side by side with arms around each other's shoulders, on a white background.

Memorial Portraits Drawn With Heart

I create hand-drawn graphite portraits that honor the people and pets we’ve loved and lost. Each piece is made with care and respect, capturing not just how someone looked, but the feeling of who they were.

What started as a personal passion has become my way of helping families hold onto their memories. Whether it’s a parent, a child, a best friend, or a beloved dog, my goal is simple: to give you a beautiful, comforting tribute that keeps their spirit close.

"First Commission – Father & Son, Forever Close" Graphite on paper, June 2020

This was my very first real commission, created while I was in a halfway house. A staff member asked me to draw her late father and her brother together, based on a cherished photo of the two of them.

I focused on capturing the easy affection between them — the brother’s arm around his father’s shoulder, their matching Yankees gear, and the quiet pride they shared. Even though her father had passed, this portrait was a way for her to keep that special bond alive — a warm reminder of the love that still connects them.

Drawing this piece showed me early on how meaningful custom portraits can be. What started as a simple request became a heartfelt tribute that still touches me today.

Danny Horner Graphite Portrait Artist – Memorials, Families & Loved Ones

A detailed pencil drawing of a man with a beard wearing a cap, sitting on a sofa, holding two young children on his lap; one girl looking at him and one boy smiling at the camera.

The portrait you drew for us is more meaningful than I can ever put into words. My girls will never get to meet their uncle Kenny. But you were able to work a special kind of magic that brings us joy everyday. Because of your drawing, my girls talk about their uncle like they met him. We have the picture hanging in our hallway and we get to see him holding his nieces everyday.

— Katie Henry

(Shared publicly on Facebook with permission.)

"Turq – A Final Tribute of Love" Graphite on paper, November 2025

This heartfelt pet portrait was commissioned by my mother’s dear friend as a loving goodbye to her beloved dog, Turq. Knowing his time was coming due to old age and health issues, she wanted to honor him with a special portrait while he was still with her.

I focused on capturing Turq’s gentle, soulful expression — those thoughtful eyes, the slight tilt of his head, and the soft folds of his ears that made him so unique. The quiet strength and sweetness in his face shine through, reflecting the deep bond they shared over many years.

For her, this drawing became a treasured keepsake — a beautiful way to remember the unconditional love, loyalty, and joy Turq brought into her life. She told me how much she loved it, and that meant everything to me.

Pet portraits like this remind me why I do this work: to help people hold onto the hearts that touched them most.

Danny Horner Graphite Portrait Artist – Memorials, Pets & Loved Ones

A detailed pencil drawing of a dog's face, focusing on its expressive eyes, nose, and ears. The artwork includes shading and fine lines to capture the dog's features.
A realistic pencil sketch of a smiling woman with curly hair and a man with short hair, both posing closely for a selfie, with the woman's head slightly tilted and the man's face partially visible.
A black and white pencil drawing of two people in a car, a young man on the left and a woman with curly hair wearing sunglasses on the right. The drawing is signed and dated at the bottom right corner, with some text written above the signature. A pencil is placed below the drawing.


Your portrait means alot to me it's more precious than gold. The photo looks exactly like us. Your art is second to none keep on making precious memories.

—Anthony Mattocks

(Shared publicly on Facebook with permission.)

Kyle and Johnny – Brothers in Every Way That Mattered" Graphite on paper, December 2022

This piece holds more of my heart than any other I’ve ever drawn.

On the right is my son Kyle. On the left is his best friend Johnny, who left us way too early. They were inseparable — true brothers in every sense except blood. I brought two separate photos together into this car scene, the kind of place where they spent so many hours laughing, talking, and just being there for each other.

I poured every ounce of love, pain, and care I had into this drawing. Every detail was created with one purpose: to give my son comfort. I wanted Kyle to look at this portrait and feel Johnny right there beside him again — smiling, full of life, forever by his side.

This is my gift to Kyle: a permanent reminder that their bond never ended. The love, loyalty, and laughter they shared still lives on in this portrait and in our hearts.

It’s one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever created.

Danny Horner Graphite Portrait Artist – Memorials, Families & Loved Ones

Would you like me to draw a portrait for you?

If there’s someone special — a loved one, a child, or a beloved pet — you’d like to honor, I’d be truly honored to create a hand-drawn memorial portrait for you.

Please send me a few clear, high-quality photos if possible. The better the reference photos, the better I can capture their likeness and personality. Feel free to include any details about them as well.

I’d love to bring their memory to life in a drawing you can treasure.