--- title: "Custom Hand-Drawn Portraits & Sketching Process | Aniket Art" description: "See how I create custom hand-drawn portraits and charcoal sketches. From detailed grid work to final shading, I turn your photos into lasting, handmade memories." canonical: https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/the-artistic-process last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # Behind the Scenes: How I Create Hand-Drawn Portraits Tribe Verified · Handmade sketches shipped across India By [Aniket](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art) · Ships across India · ₹2,200 per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Portraits & Paintings](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/gallery) Ever wonder how a blank sheet turns into a detailed portrait? Here is a look at my process, from the first grid lines to the final shading. ## Photos and videos - ![The first step in my process is often a light grid sketch. This helps me ensure all the facial features are correctly proportioned before I start adding any details or shading.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3d6fb892-70d7-4c95-a552-c2dc5fd9a044) - [Video: This video shows a glimpse of my drawing process for a larger family portrait. I use a variety of graphite pencils to create different levels of darkness and detail, slowly building up the image.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/72e61466-44ef-42bf-b60d-3a7ea6f1aee3) - [Video: Here is a time-lapse of a portrait of two women. I use a combination of graphite and charcoal on handmade paper, blending them together to create a soft, realistic effect.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cd6aa157-5527-4ae4-be47-8a4ed11340d9) - [Video: A work in progress video of a smiling child's portrait. I use a light touch with the pencil to slowly build up the shading on the face, capturing the soft contours and bright expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9f8f1cd3-ab0c-4c2d-a62d-dd8e2a9b9293) - ![Here you can see the finished drawing next to the original reference photo. My goal is always to stay true to the source image while adding my own artistic touch to the final piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/40892059-9113-435c-ae06-76bf0d6ccae3) - ![This flat lay shot shows a portrait in progress, surrounded by the tools of my trade. You can see the reference photo, my graphite pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener, all essential for my work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/057f5a2d-05ef-48f1-a167-eaac72cee9f3) - ![Here I am working on the shading of a portrait. I use a small piece of paper under my hand to avoid smudging the graphite as I carefully add layers of tone and detail.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/25ca1088-11f1-46e4-956a-cc4aa5adcb08) - ![This image shows a wedding portrait in progress. The bride is almost fully rendered with detailed shading on her saree and jewelry, while the groom is still a light pencil outline, showing the contrast between the start and the finish.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0b236b4d-7dbc-4c6e-b564-205be6509c2c) - ![This is the initial outline stage for a couple's portrait. I use a grid to lightly sketch the placement of the features and outlines before committing to darker lines and shading.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/320b53e3-89f5-4783-9ff6-f83540523aa4) - ![The portrait is halfway there. In this image, the woman's face and hair are nearly complete, while the man's portrait is still in the process of being shaded, showing how I work through each section.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2cfc0eb5-ce85-4664-b10c-82250a4ee4b9) - ![Here is a finished portrait held up against the original reference photo. This comparison shows how I translate a black and white photograph into a hand drawn graphite sketch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2d04b243-509f-49a1-b453-48c1289c14a4) - ![A work in progress shot of a man's portrait. The hair is fully shaded, but the rest of the face and clothing are still in the outline stage, waiting for detail.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/30402a38-d6aa-460f-b4fb-304a7ba0dac6) - ![This image captures an early stage of a couple's portrait. The man's face is shaded and detailed, while the woman's portrait is still a line drawing, showing how I build the composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/00e2afdd-967f-4285-9681-4e30cd3e2452) - ![Another progress shot of the same couple's portrait. Here, the woman's saree and jewelry are fully detailed, while the man's shirt remains a blank outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b6c7c57f-e2bb-4638-9a13-628d21064187) - ![The portrait is nearing completion. Both faces are now fully shaded, and I am starting to work on the clothing and final details to finish the piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d19bcdad-048d-4db4-b9dc-fc76a226a362) - ![A work in progress shot of the bride portrait. Her face and hair are complete, showcasing the realistic shading, while her traditional clothing is still a light outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/242fadf6-fbb9-4649-8d30-94002caa4776) - ![The completed portrait is held up, showing the incredible detail achieved with graphite and charcoal. The contrast between the dark background and the bright details makes the piece stand out.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f6b7d6b-1f1d-4b21-a3e7-67c638dc196c) - ![Here, the bride's portrait is partially shaded, showing the careful layering of graphite I use to create the texture of her saree and the shine of her jewelry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3698d054-8dee-4e12-ba0f-2ec93a5c048b) - ![Another angle of the wedding portrait in progress. I am focusing on the intricate details of the bride's attire, using fine pencils to capture every element.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4e7b5d0a-0ec7-4a5e-afcb-e77797c9e7c7) - ![A progress shot of the man's portrait. The face is mostly shaded, but the outline of his shirt is still visible, showing the structure underneath the final drawing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/56b09134-063c-4ba4-81e1-7def05273dc6) - ![This image shows the wedding portrait clipped to my drawing board. The bride is complete, and I am beginning to add the initial shading to the groom's portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6942a975-1d7e-468e-b032-398a216a2d55) - ![The bride's portrait is almost finished in this shot. I've completed the shading on her face and jewelry and am now working on the final details of her clothing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81df1e53-18ac-4b81-a8ac-c0e06f43b99c) - ![A macro shot focusing on the eye and traditional nose ring of the bride. This close up view highlights the detailed pencil work required to make the jewelry look realistic.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/86d717f8-ba06-4dcf-a143-fc2a17101d6a) - ![A progress shot of the couple's portrait. The man's face is fully shaded, and I have started adding detail to the woman's face and hair.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/915c3227-10ce-4d84-bce0-244278abc68e) - ![A close up of the eyes I've sketched for the Mrunal Thakur portrait. Capturing the expression in the eyes is key to a successful portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9682165c-a11e-47d1-a01a-43f731aad81a) - ![The couple's portrait is nearing the final stages. Both faces are shaded, and I am now refining the details and ensuring the likenesses are accurate.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a53123eb-5186-47ce-8f53-249ad201ac50) - ![Here, the man's face is shaded, but the woman's portrait is still a light outline. This shows how I build up the drawing one section at a time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a761aea3-b00f-4b03-bc72-115739f8dc4b) - ![Another progress shot of the couple's portrait, showing the gradual process of adding shading and detail to bring the drawing to life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aceac277-e133-4a91-9da3-b20ad4eb89dd) - ![The wedding portrait is taking shape. The bride's face is fully detailed, and the rest of the drawing is a light sketch, waiting for the shading that will complete the piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d8b9f227-4fa5-4088-9cec-13ee3041c863) - ![An early stage of the bride portrait, where I am establishing the dark background and the initial shading on her hair to create a strong contrast.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/db2869b0-a9fe-4f24-80f2-76e60971837f) - ![A work in progress shot of the couple's portrait, with the man's face shaded and the woman's still as a line drawing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dbcd2dd9-3f17-4fae-b57a-504b5e98f420) - [Video: A compilation of some of my favorite commissioned pieces, including couple portraits, family sketches, and even a wall mural I painted.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/deb1f7c4-3dff-4b33-a8e9-9e2d0def9dfa) - ![Here I am working on the bride's portrait, with her face and jewelry almost complete. The contrast between the shaded and unshaded areas shows the transformation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f6b55b56-7d33-4a27-8429-44fd5ba27d57) - ![Another close up of the eyes from the Mrunal Thakur sketch, showing the detailed pencil work used to create a realistic and expressive look.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f7adf05b-a460-4a87-acde-372b32c143a2) - ![A progress shot of the man's portrait, with the face and hair shaded but the clothing still left as an outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ff683466-bb3d-4d1c-b24b-2ca0b8a24a6c) ## About The Artistic Process I start every portrait with a light grid on high-quality cartridge paper to lock in the proportions. It is not the most exciting step, but it is the only way to ensure the final drawing captures an accurate likeness of the person in your photo. I spend these first few hours just getting the outline and structural placement right before I even touch a shading pencil. ### My Portrait Workflow Drawing is my way of switching off after a day at my corporate job, so I take my time with each piece to get it right. Here is how I turn your photos into hand-drawn memories: * **The Foundation:** Every piece begins with a pencil grid. This is non-negotiable for me as it ensures the facial structure is accurate. * **Layering Tone:** I use a mix of graphite and charcoal pencils. For the soft shading, I actually use makeup brushes; they are perfect for blending the charcoal into the paper texture without leaving harsh lines. * **The Details:** Whether it is the intricate patterns on a wedding saree or the expression in a baby's eyes, I focus on the small details that make the portrait feel real. This usually involves working on A4 or A3 acid-free paper, which holds the medium well. * **Protection:** Once the drawing is finished, I use a fixative spray. This stops the graphite and charcoal from smudging or yellowing over time. ### Practical Details * **Timelines:** Because this is manual work that I do alongside my job, please allow 5 to 7 days for A4 sketches and 10 to 14 days for larger A3 wedding or family pieces. * **Shipping:** I pack everything carefully in PVC tubes or bubble wrap sandwiches to ensure they reach you anywhere in India without bending or damage. * **What I Need:** A clear photo. The better the lighting in your reference photo, the more detail I can capture in the final sketch. If you have a specific request for a background or extra focus on jewelry or outfits, just let me know when you send the photo. ## About Aniket I am Aniket. By day, I work a corporate job, but in the evenings, I find my peace with a pencil in hand. I do not see myself as a professional artist, just someone who loves the magic of turning a photo into a sketch that you can hold. [See all of Aniket's services](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art) ## More from Custom Portraits & Paintings by Aniket - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/featured) - [Couple & Wedding Portraits](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/couple-wedding-portraits) - [Family & Baby Portraits](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/family-baby-portraits) - [Individual Portraits](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/individual-portraits) - [Vibrant Acrylic Paintings](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/vibrant-acrylic-paintings) ## More services by Aniket - [Interior Wall Murals](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/interior-wall-murals) ## Similar work from other experts - [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 - [The Artistic Process: How I Create Realistic Portraits](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/the-artistic-process-from-sketch-to-reality) by Vikash Tanti · Devotional & Pop Culture Artwork · Ships across India - [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: My Portrait Drawing Process](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/the-process-from-blank-page-to-art) by Tarun Kumar · Custom Portrait Drawings · 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 - [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 ## Book To book Aniket, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Aniket%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20artistic%20process%20page%20and%20I'm%20interested%20in%20getting%20a%20handmade%20portrait%20done.%20Could%20you%20let%20me%20know%20how%20we%20can%20start%3F)