--- title: "Custom Hand-Drawn Portraits: See My Sketching Process" description: "I create detailed, handmade portraits using graphite, charcoal, and color pencils. See how I turn your photos into art, from the initial sketch to final finish." canonical: https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/the-process-behind-the-art last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # The Process: How I Create Handmade Portraits Tribe Verified · Handmade portraits shipped across India By [Mahipal Puri](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64) · Ships across India · ₹1,800 per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Paintings](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/gallery) Every piece is a commitment. From the first pencil stroke to the final fixative spray, here is how I translate your photos into hand-drawn art. ## Photos and videos - [Video: This video shows the 48 hours of hard work that went into creating a hyper-realistic portrait. You can see the careful layering and shading required to bring out the deep textures and emotion in the subject's hands and face.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/38be317c-d7b9-4ad8-8bc9-5eb07be25d27) - [Video: The final reveal of the hyper-realistic drawing of wrinkled hands. After hours of work, this is the result. It's all about patience and loving the process.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d53c3c07-80a5-4cf1-b7c9-fe0a5489e42a) - [Video: A time-lapse of a couple sketch from start to finish. This shows my process, from the initial outline to shading the hair, beard, and clothes to create a complete portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e5f9550c-b622-4b43-8dc2-16fe882b7868) - [Video: This is the reality for many artists on social media. A simple video gets millions of views, while a piece that takes 48 hours of hard work gets a fraction of the attention. Dukh. Dard. Peeda.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/2258eb73-879d-491e-a735-22974b724ae9) - ![This image shows a side-by-side of the finished sketch and the original photo it was based on. It helps you see how I translate a photograph into a handmade piece of art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3e0ffae7-6af2-4fe1-b425-bdeb8d53fc2e) - ![Here you can see the final sketch next to the reference photo for this child's portrait. It's an A4 sized pencil drawing where I aimed to capture the child's innocent expression.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4953bf53-4a09-4c4d-b79a-86452f480440) - ![A comparison of the reference photo and my final sketch for an A4 commission. This shows how I interpret a photo to create a stylized yet realistic pencil portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/61f2b854-51cd-47e1-a2d3-3fe2b4128eb3) - ![Another example of a sketch and photo comparison. I enjoy showing how a part of the original photo can be transformed into a complete pencil sketch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6554cfa4-2dc7-4ded-a354-d30b9cd7b384) - ![A side-by-side comparison showing the original reference photo and my finished A4 sketch. This is a great way to see the transformation from photo to art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/92458ba1-b25f-41c0-8cbf-4483c1b51b24) - ![A comparison of the original photo and my watercolor sketch of a spiritual guru from Surajkund. This shows how I interpret a photo to create a colorful and respectful portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9e5139ee-3ae3-40e4-9f0d-e48b2df30179) - [Video: This video shows a finished, framed portrait ready to be gifted. I believe in creating art that you can personally give to your favorite people.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bb0f72f6-6258-4837-b029-34efe4b89a67) - [Video: A quick showcase of different commission works I have done. If you want a custom portrait, just send me a message.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/da7612c2-e0d5-4d12-aed0-f949156b5e1a) - [Video: A compilation of some of my recent commission work. It shows a mix of color pencil and graphite portraits, giving a glimpse into the different orders I complete.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/61eb55e5-0113-4e62-91c7-610a0f48aaa2) - ![A comparison of my work from 2017 to 2020. It shows the progress I have made in skill and technique, moving from a simple pencil sketch to a hyper-realistic color artwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e16b828e-d540-4c63-bb9a-e410c9d71c44) - [Video: A time-lapse showing the creation of a muscular male torso using color pencils. This piece was a study in anatomy and lighting, using color to define muscles and create a dramatic effect.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e7480abc-1db0-4f11-ac7a-c78d0286cb47) ## About The Process: Behind the Art I do not believe in digital shortcuts or quick fixes. When you commission a portrait, you get a handmade piece built on high-quality 200gsm acid-free paper using professional graphite, charcoal, or color pencils. It takes anywhere from 3 to 16 hours of continuous work to build the skin texture, fabric details, and lighting that define the final result. I send you a digital proof of the work before I ship it out, so you know exactly what is coming your way. ### From Photo to Paper My process is simple: you send me a clear, high-resolution photo, and I spend hours studying the features, lighting, and texture to recreate it by hand. I don't use filters or printing techniques. Each sketch is built in layers. I start with the light outlines to set the proportions, then gradually build up the depth using Faber Castell pencils and charcoal. For couple portraits, I handle the composition merging digitally first to ensure the subjects look natural together before I put pencil to paper. ### The Tools I Use Quality matters because it ensures your portrait lasts. * **Paper:** Brustro 200gsm acid-free paper, which holds graphite well without tearing or yellowing. * **Pencils:** Faber Castell 9000 series for graphite work and Polychromos for color pieces. * **Finish:** Every sketch is coated with a matte fixative spray to prevent charcoal smudging and preserve the details during shipping. ### Why Hand-Drawn Matters A custom portrait is a piece of art that freezes a moment in time. Whether it is an A4 pencil sketch of a child or an A3 premium color portrait of a couple, my goal is to capture the expression that a camera sometimes misses. I treat every commission with the same focus, whether it is for a casual gift or a long-term display piece for your home. ## About Mahipal Puri I am Mahipal, an artist who truly loves his work. When you commission a piece from me, you are not getting a factory print; you are getting hours of dedicated, manual sketching. My focus is on getting every feature right so that you really see yourself or your loved ones in the paper. [See all of Mahipal Puri's services](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64) ## More from Custom Paintings by Mahipal Puri - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/featured) - [Graphite & Charcoal Portraits](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/graphite-charcoal-portraits) - [Vibrant Color Pencil Portraits](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/vibrant-color-pencil-portraits) - [Spiritual & Devotional Art](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/spiritual-devotional-art) - [Paintings & Illustrations](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-paintings/paintings-illustrations) ## More services by Mahipal Puri - [Custom Murals & Wall Art](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-murals-wall-art) - [Custom Portraits & Sketches](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-portraits-sketches) ## 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 - [From Photo to Portrait: My Sketching Process](https://mytribe.in/alankar.draws/custom-pencil-portraits/from-photo-to-portrait-my-process) by Alankar Draws · Custom Pencil Portraits · 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: How I Create Hand-Drawn Portraits](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/the-artistic-process) by Aniket · Custom Portraits & Paintings · Ships 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 - [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 Mahipal Puri, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%2C%20I'm%20interested%20in%20getting%20a%20handmade%20portrait.%20I%20liked%20the%20sketching%20process%20you%20showed%20in%20your%20'Behind%20the%20Art'%20cluster%E2%80%94can%20we%20discuss%20a%20commission%3F)