--- title: "From Photo to Portrait: Handmade Realistic Sketches by Alankar" description: "Want to turn your photos into art? See my 'From Photo to Portrait' process. I create handmade, realistic pencil sketches that capture true emotion, not just a copy." canonical: https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/from-photo-to-portrait-my-process last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # From Photo to Portrait: My Sketching Process Tribe Verified · Hand-sketched portraits delivered across India By [Alankar Draws](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws) · Ships across India · ₹1,450 ₹ per portrait (unframed) (estimate) Part of [Custom Pencil Portraits](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/gallery) Ever wonder how a blank sheet becomes a portrait? It takes hours of layering and a lot of heart, not just pencils. Here is a peek behind my desk. ## Photos and videos - ![A work-in-progress shot of a color pencil sketch. You can see how I carefully build up the colors layer by layer to create a realistic and vibrant portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/08a22110-0daa-4bd8-95f6-3118f3a7a42a) - ![Me and my love, my art. Here I am, deeply focused on a color pencil commission, with my ring light and tools. This is my happy place.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b7930525-9839-4fe5-932d-ade61f6aa041) - [Video: A short reel showing the process of creating a portrait. The caption "Art is the only therapy you need" is so true for me. It's my escape and my passion.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81ad0bb1-b0a3-4f81-9d5b-b2a61c55d64a) - [Video: A quick glimpse into my world as an artist. This video shows me at my desk, my art supplies, and some of my recent work. This is the "Vitamin A" (Artist) in my life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0b966274-6512-4d95-b78b-f488af4d8ed9) - [Video: A compilation of my journey as an artist. From drawing cartoon characters like Wolverine and Deadpool to detailed portraits of deities and people, my journey never stops.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1949e725-b31d-4f4e-8eda-2e2f085baff6) - [Video: This is what my phone's gallery looks like, filled with sketches, reference photos, and works in progress. My life revolves around art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/228858ac-262c-47d4-88e8-d5c60168077e) - [Video: A video showcasing various stages of my drawing process, from initial sketches to detailed, hyper-realistic work. It's a look at the different styles I enjoy creating.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/96ca113b-4fd0-4dff-b4be-4a13fa3546a1) - [Video: A quick reel showing off some of my favorite pieces, from hyper-realistic eyes to portraits. This is a snapshot of my passion and my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bdc781d3-618a-49c5-8915-7c620f13cacd) - [Video: People say art is a waste of time, but they don't see the peace it brings. This video shows me in my element, finding tranquility and purpose in my creative process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fdb672f6-426b-4831-a1bc-bdf553c7e082) - [Video: Some say AI can create art in seconds, but can it capture emotion? This video shows me live sketching the Jagannath Temple in Bokaro, a process full of feeling and connection that a machine can't replicate.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a1a3a94e-6d04-4beb-bf5c-a7533d29590f) - [Video: A time-lapse of my live sketching session at the Jagannath Temple. You can see people stopping by to watch as the sketch comes to life, from a blank page to a colorful representation of the temple.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5de1d3a4-8f8d-4d8a-9db7-caa1a0fbbb5d) - ![Me, sitting on the grass, live sketching the Jagannath Temple in Bokaro. There's something special about drawing a place while you're right there, soaking in the atmosphere.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0ca886ae-2970-4b1d-8c6a-9fd8beb90ffe) - ![Holding up my finished watercolor and ink sketch against the actual Jagannath Temple. It's a great way to see the real-life inspiration behind the art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/159690ef-7b21-4aa1-bfc9-5b178cc99b89) - ![A close-up of my live sketch of the temple. I used a water brush and a small paint palette to add color to the ink drawing on the spot.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/38a8778a-73cb-435b-9458-5b4020fbece0) - ![The initial ink outline of the Jagannath Temple sketch. This is the foundation before I add any color or shading.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/44e6eb84-d38c-4cdd-bf54-7f0c543b87a5) - ![Another shot of my completed temple sketch, with the real temple blurred in the background. It creates a beautiful depth of field effect.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b6975337-486b-4c37-8be3-1b031729e1af) ## About From Photo to Portrait: My Process People often ask why a portrait takes time. It’s because I’m not just tracing a photo. I spend hours building layers of graphite or color pencil to get the skin texture and eyes right, using professional materials like Prismacolor and Brustro on 200gsm paper. When you see the final piece, you will know why I don't use shortcuts—the emotion needs to be captured, not manufactured. I believe that while AI can create art in seconds, it cannot replicate the soul behind a human-made sketch. My process begins with your reference photo. I don't just copy lines; I look for the emotion, the spark in the eyes, and the unique details that make your memory worth preserving. ### The Materials I Use I use high-quality materials to ensure your portrait lasts a lifetime. I prefer 200gsm acid-free Bristol or Brustro paper, which gives that premium feel. For my black and white work, I rely on Staedtler graphite and charcoal for deep, rich contrast. If you opt for color, I use wax-based Prismacolor pencils, which I layer carefully for over 50 hours to get realistic skin tones and vibrant textures. ### My Step-by-Step Workflow 1. **Consultation:** You send your photo, and we discuss the composition. Whether you want a single face or a couple, I plan the layout on the paper first. 2. **The Sketch:** I start with a light outline, then slowly build up shading. This is where the magic happens. 3. **Refinement:** I add the fine details—the highlights in the eyes, the texture of the hair, and those little imperfections that make a person real. 4. **Protection:** Once finished, I treat every sketch with a clear matte fixative spray (or UV-resistant spray for color) to prevent smudging and fading. From my studio in Bokaro, I ship these pieces globally, ensuring they reach you safely through sandwich packaging and waterproof sleeves. Whether it is a deity sketch or a portrait of a loved one, my goal is to give you a memory that feels alive. ## About Alankar Draws Main Alankar hoon, aur art mere liye bas shanti hai. Jab main aapke liye koi sketch banata hoon, main sirf pencil nahi chalata, main emotions capture karta hoon. Har piece ek spiritual anubhuti hai mere liye. [See all of Alankar Draws's services](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws) ## More from Custom Pencil Portraits by Alankar Draws - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/featured) - [Vibrant Color Portraits](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/vibrant-color-portraits) - [Classic Black & White Sketches](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/classic-black-white-sketches) - [Spiritual & Devotional Art](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/spiritual-devotional-art) - [Capturing Your Moments](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/capturing-your-moments) - [Artistic & Creative Studies](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/artistic-creative-studies) - [Miscellaneous Works](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/miscellaneous-works) ## Similar work from other experts - [The Process: How I Create Handmade Portraits](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/the-process-behind-the-art) by Mahipal Puri · Custom Paintings · Ships across India - [Behind the Scenes: How Your Custom Portrait is Made](https://mytribe.in/artist_sidd_/custom-portrait-drawings/the-process-how-your-art-is-made) by Sidd · Custom Portrait Drawings · Ships across India - [My Hand-Drawn Portrait Process: From Photo to Art](https://mytribe.in/artbynaveen/hand-drawn-realistic-portraits/from-photo-to-art-the-process) by Art by Naveen · Hand-Drawn Realistic Portraits · Visit Studio in Dasanapura; Ships across India - [Behind the Scenes: My Pencil Sketching Process](https://mytribe.in/sketch_art.shivam/custom-portrait-sketches/behind-the-scenes-my-drawing-process) by Shivam Yash · Custom Portrait Sketches · Delivers across India - [Realistic Pencil Sketches: My Process from Photo to Art](https://mytribe.in/cause_ilove_art/custom-portraits-sketches/my-process-from-photo-to-art) by Shweta Rane · Custom Portraits & Sketches · Ships across India - [Realistic Pencil Sketches from Your Photos](https://mytribe.in/create_by_pencilll/custom-portrait-sketches/from-photo-to-art-the-likeness-in-detail) by Shivam Pandey · Custom Portrait Sketches · Based in Mumbai; ships across India ## Book To book Alankar Draws, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Alankar%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20'From%20Photo%20to%20Portrait'%20process%20and%20loved%20the%20detailing.%20I%20want%20to%20get%20a%20custom%20portrait%20made.%20Let's%20discuss!)