New Delhi: In the buzzing lanes of Nagpur, Maharashtra, where commerce and education often dominate conversations, there is one story that speaks to the quiet power of art. It is the story of Mr. Krunal Sonkusare, a pencil sketch artist and teacher who has turned his lifelong passion into a career, an institution, and a legacy.
For more than two decades, Krunal has lived with a pencil in his hand and art in his heart. What began as a childhood fascination with lines and shading slowly grew into something larger a body of work that today includes more than 520 commissioned portraits for clients not just across India but also in countries like Canada, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the United States. Each sketch carries his hallmark attention to detail, realism, and emotional depth. For many families, his portraits have become treasured keepsakes, preserving memories on paper with a timeless elegance.
But the story of Krunal Sonkusare is not only about the artworks he produces. It is equally about the people he teaches and the communities he inspires. With more than 20 years of teaching experience, he has shaped hundreds of students through Krunal Sonkusare Arts, his platform for drawing education. His classes are open to all ages from children who are just beginning to discover art to adults looking to refine advanced skills.
Krunal is known for his emphasis on traditional techniques. Students under his guidance practice perspective, shading, and composition while also experimenting with mediums like pencils, charcoal, and paint. Unlike many modern short-term courses, his approach is methodical and rooted in fundamentals, ensuring that learners build strong artistic foundations before moving on to creative exploration.
His teaching is not confined to regular classes. Krunal has carved out a niche in exam preparation, helping students get ready for important milestones such as the Elementary and Intermediate drawing exams, along with other art-related competitive tests. For many students, this guidance has opened doors to higher education in the arts and even early professional opportunities.
Flexibility is another hallmark of his approach. Students can attend group sessions, where they learn alongside peers and benefit from collaborative feedback, or opt for home tuitions, which provide a more personal, one-on-one environment. In recent years, Krunal has also embraced digital platforms, offering virtual coaching that has attracted students from across India and even as far as America. This has not only widened his reach but also made quality art education more accessible to those who may not be able to attend in person.
Beyond individual instruction, Krunal is deeply committed to community engagement. He frequently conducts workshops, summer camps, and events for NGOs, schools, and private institutions. These gatherings are more than just lessons they are opportunities for students to experiment, collaborate, and build confidence in a supportive environment. By working with non-profit organizations, he has extended the gift of art to children who might otherwise never have had access to formal training.
What makes Krunal’s journey particularly compelling is his attitude toward learning. Despite being an accomplished artist and teacher, he remains humble about his growth. “The most rewarding part of being an artist is the chance to improve every day,” he says. “I learn new techniques, I share them with my students, and together we grow.” This openness has endeared him to his students, many of whom describe him as approachable and encouraging, someone who is just as curious as they are.
His dual role as a creator and a mentor is what makes him an Artpreneur an artist who combines creativity with enterprise, not for profit alone, but to build something sustainable and impactful. In India, where creative careers are still often overshadowed by conventional professions, Krunal stands as an example of what persistence and passion can achieve. He has proven that art can be both meaningful and financially viable, a career path that inspires as much as it sustains.
Looking ahead, Krunal’s journey is far from over. With plans to expand his virtual coaching, host more workshops, and continue his commissioned work, he is constantly sketching new goals alongside his portraits. Each class he teaches and each artwork he delivers adds another stroke to the canvas of his life a canvas defined by patience, resilience, and vision.
In the end, Krunal Sonkusare is not just drawing faces; he is shaping futures. Through every pencil line, every student he mentors, and every exam he prepares learners for, he is sketching a story much bigger than his own. It is the story of how art, when nurtured with dedication and shared with generosity, can become not just a passion but a purpose.
