---
title: "Custom Art Commissions: Behind the Scenes of My Drawing Process"
description: "See how I create custom realistic portraits. From pencil sketches to detailed color work, explore my artistic process for hand-drawn commissions across India."
canonical: https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/behind-the-scenes-my-artistic-process
last_updated: 2025-09-04
---

# Behind the Scenes: My Custom Art Process

Tribe Verified · Self-taught artist, shipping across India.

By [Ritika](https://mytribe.in/arituistic) · Ships artwork across India · ₹1,800 per artwork (estimate)

Part of [Custom Realistic Drawings & Illustrations](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/gallery)

Ever wonder how a blank sheet turns into a realistic portrait? Here is a look at my messy, detailed process—from the first grid lines to the final blend.

## Photos and videos

- [Video: A time-lapse video showing the initial stages of coloring a semi-realistic portrait, from laying down the base skin tones to adding details to the eyes and lips.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ca30098f-587f-442e-9a75-7b4c60a1c8b5)
- ![A work-in-progress of a complex succulent arrangement. This shows the vibrant colors of the finished sections next to the pencil outline of the parts yet to be drawn.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e3dd070-47b6-46e8-bd86-ee745f83f641)
- ![A wider view of the succulent WIP, showing about half the piece colored in. I use a grid method for complex compositions like this.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/146bd88a-588e-4cb1-a2f7-85db2f1002ea)
- ![A close-up of the succulent drawing, focusing on the green and yellow plants and the tiny, detailed lithops.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5bd2097c-d8e3-4939-aee0-a162d3398d9e)
- ![A detail shot of the other side of the succulent piece, showing the bright orange and blue plants.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c0f901b7-5445-4fdf-97f8-b48b740552be)
- ![The very first WIP shot of the succulents, showing the initial colored section next to my tin of Derwent pencils.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b267d240-9d26-42d6-ba72-7e84a72fbffc)
- ![The full A4 view of the first stage of the succulent drawing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/35f321e2-54c5-4baf-b992-25920dcfd67e)
- ![The first WIP of the silver outfit illustration. Here, I've just started on the skin tones of the neck and chest.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4f36ba8f-320e-41a3-84e0-4197bc3e85e5)
- ![A wider view of the initial "silver outfit" WIP, showing the grid lines I use for accurate proportions.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d3418b40-a622-4e61-b4a2-5f5977db0c34)
- ![The second stage of the silver outfit drawing, with the sparkling corset and detailed belt now complete.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0d4fdd7a-1296-4244-ae9d-7ee9d97221e2)
- ![A full view of the second WIP stage for the silver outfit, with only the overcoat left to be drawn.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0a0895d0-a2da-46d1-8543-07d9df27249b)
- ![The first work-in-progress shot of my Spider-Man drawing, showing the initial coloring of his torso.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1f9a3af5-41d6-407b-8dd4-72672da4d755)
- ![My workspace view of the Spider-Man WIP, with the reference image on my tablet.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/29635571-8c44-4f3f-9923-438920464e31)
- ![The second WIP of Spider-Man, with most of his suit now colored in, leaving just the head to be completed.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8d377073-19ec-4dd3-a9e7-4781d129877c)
- ![The first WIP of the pink dress illustration, showing the initial coloring of the bodice and skin.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2b89a20c-3e85-44b0-bfc1-424303f79766)
- ![A shot of me coloring the pink dress, showing the process in action.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c1d131bd-a727-4a1c-8148-6d38bb1eedd0)
- ![The second WIP of the pink dress, with the bodice and part of the skirt now finished.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/0fbc110b-a93f-41f9-ae34-05814828a419)
- ![A work-in-progress shot of the bird and roses drawing, showing the bird fully colored and the roses still in outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/42db14e2-6c44-402d-b6bf-19594c0425ab)
- ![Another angle of the bird WIP, with the pencils I used for the roses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/97c17395-ebb7-467f-a2a7-5d2aa279865d)
- ![A step-by-step tutorial collage showing how I layered colors to draw the realistic red roses.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d5ce788-1992-494d-9a7d-d2f2c3363f3a)
- ![The second part of the rose drawing tutorial, explaining the blending and highlighting process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/98800e30-7cfa-4ffd-8108-40070273edfb)
- ![The first stage of the bird drawing, with just the bird's body colored in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/91d0e3e3-ae5a-46a5-936c-7e61154d7e58)
- ![The full view of the initial bird WIP, taped to my drawing board.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e0187581-6a5c-4b13-a4b8-90d9c473b041)
- ![A close-up of the bird's feather texture in the early stages.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b70a5b03-9b1a-4814-b132-3a9ea78d149b)
- ![The first WIP of the red Christmas bow, showing just one section colored to capture the shiny, reflective texture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2c72205-8ad1-44b9-a8c3-897f904c45ec)
- ![The second WIP of the Christmas bow, with about half of the bow now complete.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/46b8bbf7-069e-40cf-87d0-7e2639a228ce)
- ![The first WIP of the gingerbread house, showing just the roof and chimney completed with a powdered sugar effect.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7dde41c7-85d4-481d-911c-8891ef1df3ef)
- ![A wider view of the gingerbread house WIP.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b6ba6f56-f9b1-4140-8deb-3bd27de039cd)
- ![A close-up of the textured roof in the gingerbread house drawing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/48e23661-e993-496c-bb41-dc415d1521fe)
- ![The first WIP of the dripping strawberry, with the fruit itself fully colored but the syrup still an outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c9c0d929-7295-4073-baf6-4eef14987309)
- ![A full view of the strawberry WIP in my sketchbook.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c5ba8881-5849-456b-9673-b02299b436dd)
- ![A close-up of the strawberry WIP, showing the texture of the seeds.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6ee6374c-f35a-4c53-a3d4-ec6540d4c975)
- ![Another angle of the strawberry in its early stages.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/334d65a8-1b9b-413f-8520-a0fe3a306ffc)
- ![The first WIP of the wine glass drawing, with the red wine colored in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f5ff2242-a4f1-4b3b-9239-ea5f6f72d5bb)
- ![The second WIP of the wine glasses, with the red wine and the splash now complete.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bf28a36b-fa27-4257-b9e4-cda0d4b8c22f)
- ![The first WIP of the pumpkin skull, showing the first section of orange being colored in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/210c6dcb-d243-4fe7-b969-9cfd0137ebfe)
- ![The second WIP of the pumpkin skull, with the left side and top now fully shaded.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4f4bdce0-ede7-4c17-978d-6e692e0fffef)
- ![The first WIP of my "Starry Night" painting, with the sky and cypress tree finished.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6c66e46f-cc10-41df-8d23-9187c544b633)
- ![The second WIP of the "Starry Night" painting, with more of the village houses at the bottom filled in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e3281c79-6a4a-4b05-9110-10b1bd2a1fba)
- ![The very first stage of the purple rose, with just the center petals colored in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/29c0eaa3-5a7e-4eef-a26a-acf98c05a489)
- ![The second WIP of the purple rose, showing the inner and middle petals completed.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f014e9b8-65b4-4521-8913-f0840691653f)
- ![A sunlit shot of the imaginative portrait WIP, showing the face fully colored.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/fa5aeb1c-8ed4-49ba-a163-3fdf414c1d2d)
- ![The full view of the imaginative portrait WIP, with the hair still as an outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/dbd7f393-142f-4dfc-abb7-dc68e3ac898c)
- ![A close-up of the face from the imaginative portrait WIP.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c8ac8089-d7ca-4289-9463-093e5ce177ee)
- ![Another detail shot of the imaginative portrait, showing the skin texture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/16225415-7b19-4a34-90a1-b5b01217a947)
- ![The WIP taped to my drawing board, showing the full composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5648a60f-49d1-4297-852f-271b6157d261)
- ![The first WIP of the 5K cupcake, with the cherries and cupcake liner fully colored.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/da7ecb3b-f2b5-4d02-9167-37b3b4bc6bb4)
- ![The second WIP of the cupcake, with the candles and frosting base now added.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cb173bfa-375b-4483-9c04-78e6d79dbe8d)
- ![The first WIP of the Billie Eilish portrait, with just her face colored in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a27c7341-21e0-4cc3-8e2e-60b76fd26b9b)
- ![An angled view of the Billie Eilish WIP, showing my art supplies.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e32b3dc8-0b72-4e42-8221-6d0095e208f8)
- ![A close-up of the Billie Eilish WIP, focusing on her eyes and lips.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/93bb7849-6b5c-4c68-bb1e-f06b31452a75)
- ![The first WIP of the ice cream cone, showing just the top orange scoop colored.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a57367f7-9b49-471c-aa14-ff446d260735)
- ![A close-up of the first ice cream scoop WIP.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8561e34a-0c40-4651-adb7-c45a153edba0)
- ![The second WIP of the ice cream cone, with the top two scoops now complete.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/44b6d4d5-acd6-4ad7-9b10-4e6f6be0e4fb)
- ![The full view of the second ice cream WIP.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3a7d5a35-4299-4d42-b0d6-36737bd3e39d)
- ![A close-up of the tiger charcoal sketch in progress.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eb029fcf-2a94-4f40-9ee1-b5ddfebd5332)
- ![The first stage of the tiger sketch, with the top half of its face emerging from the paper.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7083179d-0afb-433a-8389-6ff2fcff8ebd)
- ![The first WIP of the cute, semi-realistic girl, showing just her face colored in.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b87b9d1e-3246-467a-a681-ba62749e9498)
- ![The second WIP of the cute girl, with her hair now fully rendered.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e076620-fcfb-491e-8c48-4b2f7d69e32d)
- ![The full view of the second WIP stage for the cute girl portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2b635884-8af3-4674-8b51-1611b1eb8647)
- ![The first WIP of the Kim Namjoon portrait, showing the intricate mandala background fully completed before starting the portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/02f2df88-f4b9-461a-9291-9056b721cfd0)
- ![A close-up of the mandala background WIP for the Kim Namjoon piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2f53fbd5-15db-4f16-a7c6-d6eb05daec06)
- ![The second WIP of the Kim Namjoon portrait, with the face and mandala complete, leaving only the hair and jacket to be finished.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2416a10c-c19d-4e3e-b0c6-186c5f3fbe2d)

## About Behind the Scenes: My Artistic Process

I use a precise grid method to ensure proportions are accurate before any color touches the paper. My work relies on layering quality materials like Prismacolor and Derwent pencils on 200gsm acid-free paper, which is why a single A4 portrait can take 16 hours or more to complete. I share these work-in-progress photos during the project because I want you to see the technical detail behind the art, not just the final result.

Art is a journey, and I like to bring you along for the ride. When you commission a piece, you aren't just getting the final sketch; you are seeing the effort, the patience, and the layering that goes into it. 

### How I Build a Portrait
*   **The Skeleton:** It starts with a light pencil grid. This keeps your features, eyes, and proportions exactly where they should be. 
*   **The Foundation:** I layer colors slowly. If you look at my WIP shots, you will see areas that look unfinished—that is usually because I am still building the base skin tones or textures.
*   **The Details:** This is where the magic happens—using white gel pens for eye reflections, jewelry shine, and those tiny highlights that make a face pop.

### Materials Matter
I don't cut corners on quality. I use professional-grade supplies like Faber-Castell, Prismacolor, and Derwent pencils. Why? Because cheap paper fades and colors don't blend. I use 200gsm or 250gsm heavyweight paper, which allows me to blend colors repeatedly without tearing the surface. Everything is finished with a fixative spray to prevent smudging and packed in a reinforced mailer so your artwork reaches you anywhere in India without a single crease.

## About Ritika

Hi, I'm Ritika! I am a self-taught artist who is a little obsessed with making drawings look real. I love sharing my progress shots so you know exactly how your portrait is coming together, flaws and all.

[See all of Ritika's services](https://mytribe.in/arituistic)

## More from Custom Realistic Drawings & Illustrations by Ritika

- [Featured](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/featured)
- [Mythological Art: Gods & Goddesses](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/mythological-art-gods-goddesses)
- [Pop Culture Portraits: Fan & Celebrity Art](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/pop-culture-portraits-fan-celebrity-art)
- [Custom Colored Pencil Illustrations](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/custom-colored-pencil-illustrations)
- [Graphite & Charcoal Realism](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/graphite-charcoal-realism)
- [Original & Imagined Portraits](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/original-imagined-portraits)
- [Paintings & Other Styles](https://mytribe.in/arituistic/custom-realistic-drawings-illustrations/paintings-other-styles)

## Similar work from other experts

- [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
- [Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process](https://mytribe.in/art_of_karishma/custom-sketches-portraits/behind-the-scenes-the-creative-process) by Karishma Nain · Custom Sketches & Portraits · Ships across India and internationally, made from my studio in Delhi
- [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
- [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: 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
- [How I Create Hyper-Realistic Pencil Sketches](https://mytribe.in/sketches_vintage/hand-drawn-realistic-portraits/behind-the-pencil-the-drawing-process) by Sagar Viradiya · Hand-Drawn Realistic Portraits · Ships artwork across India

## Book

To book Ritika, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Ritika!%20Loved%20your%20behind-the-scenes%20work.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20a%20custom%20portrait%20commission.%20Let%20me%20know%20your%20availability!)