From Sketch to Ink: My Creative Process
Every piece starts as a shaky pencil line. Here is a raw look at how I turn those first, messy ideas into permanent ink.
A glimpse into my art-making journey. I use a grid system for larger pieces to maintain proportion, then build the details with fine-tipped pens and brushes. You can see me working on the scales of the iguana and the woody texture of the cross.
A personal piece, a self portrait of someone else, drawn outdoors on my terrace. This video shows the initial pencil shading and the first layers of ink being applied with a micro pigment pen to create texture on the paper.
Real-time video of me adding fine details to the hair and clothing of this figure. I use a simple ballpoint pen for this kind of shading, as it allows for very subtle and controlled gradients.
This video shows the progression of a winged figure, from the initial pencil outline to the detailed inking of the feathers and tangled roots. Each element is built up slowly to create a cohesive and complex character.
A digital version of my creative process using Procreate. Even when working digitally, I build the drawing in the same way, starting with a sketch and slowly adding layers of detail to the winged figure.
The very beginning of a portrait. A simple pencil outline mapping out the placement of the many eyes and the general structure of the face before any permanent ink is applied.
The inking process has begun. I've started to define the eyes and add cracks to the face, giving it a sense of fragility. The hand is still in its pencil form, showing the contrast between sketch and finished ink.
About this collection
I don’t just hand over a final drawing. We start by mapping out the concept—whether it’s a mythic figure or a personal symbol—using a light pencil sketch first. You get to see the composition before I commit to the permanent ink, ensuring the final piece feels exactly like the story you wanted to tell.
My creative process is slow and deliberate. Whether you are commissioning a custom illustration or a detailed tattoo concept, the journey begins with your idea. I map out the structure—often using a grid for complex portraits—to ensure proportions are right before I pick up my fine-tipped Micron pens.
Once the pencil outline is approved, I begin the inking phase. This is where the surreal elements come to life. I use a mix of techniques, from dense stippling to create gradients to fine cross-hatching for texture, often spending 15+ hours on premium original pieces. For those wanting a physical piece, I use 300 GSM archival paper, ensuring that the work I send to your home in Bareilly or across India lasts for years. If we are working on a tattoo design, I provide a high-resolution 300 DPI master file and a clean line-work stencil guide, so your chosen tattoo artist has exactly what they need to translate the ink from paper to skin.
Ankita Bhattacharya
I’m Ankita. I draw things that live in my head—strange, surreal, and often tangled in nature. If you’ve got a story or a symbol you want on paper or skin, let’s sketch it out together.
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