--- title: "Custom Realistic Portraits: How I Sketch Your Memories" description: "I create hyper-realistic graphite and charcoal portraits from your photos. See my artistic process, from grid sketches to final detailing. Book your custom artwork today." canonical: https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/the-artistic-process-from-sketch-to-reality last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # The Artistic Process: How I Create Realistic Portraits Tribe Verified · Delivered securely to clients across India By [Vikash Tanti](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist) · Ships across India · ₹800 Per Artwork (estimate) Part of [Devotional & Pop Culture Artwork](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/gallery) Behind every portrait is 40+ hours of patience. See how I turn a blank page into a hyper-realistic sketch using graphite, charcoal, and grid detailing. ## Photos and videos - ![An educational look at my drawing of Premanand Govind Maharaj. I have marked the different grades of graphite pencils used (from 2B to 10B) to achieve specific textures and shades on the face and beard.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5a0acfec-8acf-40bc-9e7c-20af61940fba) - [Video: A time-lapse showing the initial stages of drawing Premanand Govind Maharaj's face. I start with the eyes and nose, carefully shading to create a three-dimensional effect right from the beginning.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f718a9c4-a1d3-4bc3-8cdf-6d7d128042d4) - [Video: This video demonstrates my technique for drawing realistic hair. Using the portrait of Rashmika Mandanna, I show how I use an eraser and pencils to create highlights and shadows for a lifelike hair texture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/596caca6-d9f0-44f4-8d06-57728d8b13c0) - [Video: The creation of the Rama and Hanuman silhouette drawing from start to finish. You can see how I first outline the figures and then fill them in with dark charcoal, blending the background to create a stormy sky.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/05398e09-a6aa-4208-ad29-c49d287e44c8) - [Video: A process video of the Priyanka Mohan portrait. This clip focuses on the detailed work of shading her back, the delicate blouse strap, and the intricate patterns on her earring.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/97b95163-94ff-429c-8c40-275ee14bdefb) - [Video: The very first stage of a new portrait, which I revealed to be "CHHAVA". The video shows the hyper-realistic drawing of just a single eye, demonstrating my focus on detail from the first stroke.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a4c1e575-48f4-4fdb-b152-bd1c5bc83460) - ![The initial grid and outline sketch for the portrait of Kalyani Priyadarshan. This grid method helps me maintain accurate proportions as I begin the drawing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e112d7c9-425c-44ed-a039-7d9408b833e2) - [Video: A time-lapse of my drawing of Goddess Durga. This video shows the shading process for her face and the intricate details of her large crown and jewelry.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8e61c189-aed9-4af0-bb29-513130973e6b) - ![A photo of me at my workspace, focused on drawing a portrait. This gives a glimpse into the concentration and effort that goes into each piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4d59c7c2-1905-40ce-863b-1f326ef0c945) - ![The complete line art for the Lord Hanuman portrait, done using the grid method. This is the foundational step before any shading begins.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/77080064-4cf4-4847-b6c8-45d34f2cb7a6) - ![A progress shot of the Priyanka Mohan drawing. Her hair and hand are fully rendered, while the rest of her figure is still a line sketch, showing the contrast between the finished and unfinished parts.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b83c6b1e-72f1-4dbb-9e2f-de81eaef1b84) - ![The initial pencil outline of the Priyanka Mohan portrait on paper. This is the blueprint for the entire drawing, capturing the pose and composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/be588eb2-7f5f-47c7-aeb6-50d9c3681bb7) - [Video: More progress on the Priyanka Mohan sketch. This video shows the shading of her saree, creating the look of soft, flowing fabric using graphite and blending tools.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/90a2f42c-fc3f-4a1c-89af-cf5c26152f69) - ![A duplicate of a progress shot of the Priyanka Mohan drawing, showing the contrast between the detailed hair and the outlined body.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/11c4b7db-0ca6-4895-a1f9-41f904a237d3) - [Video: A time-lapse showing the early stages of the Priyanka Mohan portrait. I am focusing on building up the dark, rich tones of her hair from the initial outline.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/81fcdc04-62e8-42e9-8140-bd33cceadcb2) - [Video: The third progress video for the "CHHAVA" drawing. Here, I am working on the mustache and mouth, using fine strokes to create realistic hair texture.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5b792c21-befa-4a0f-aba6-b50284e97fc4) - [Video: The second stage of the "CHHAVA" portrait. After finishing the eyes, I have now completed the nose, focusing on smooth shading to give it a realistic shape.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/37904593-0f0a-42bb-8443-cf47cbb18e16) - ![A progress shot of the Kalyani Priyadarshan portrait. Her face and hair are almost complete, while her necklace and saree are still in the outline phase.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/29624a07-8829-41b0-b309-31a75e3b6950) - ![Further progress on the Kalyani Priyadarshan drawing. The necklace is now fully shaded with intricate details, and work has begun on the saree.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/48d8c6b4-3861-408c-a3e1-c1c892a90177) - ![A close-up of me working on the hair in the Kalyani Priyadarshan portrait. This shows the fine, individual strokes I use to create a realistic flow.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ec606772-84c8-4c44-9602-377e08d37923) - ![A duplicate of the progress shot where the face and hair of Kalyani Priyadarshan are nearly done, highlighting the stage before the clothing is detailed.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e75c39a3-f383-4775-b74f-9a75f9085908) - [Video: A time-lapse of a Lord Hanuman portrait being drawn. The video shows the progression from a simple outline to a fully shaded and detailed face with a dark, contrasting background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9ac40c1e-1154-40d2-a2b9-576acbfea594) - [Video: A close-up video showing the hyper-realistic drawing of an eye for a Krishna portrait. It highlights the detailed work on the pupil, iris, and eyelashes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8376e213-19f8-48ca-8b41-dab088564c43) - [Video: A video showing the work-in-progress of the Goddess Durga sketch. I am carefully shading her face and the details of her necklace and crown.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8643c429-e196-4fb4-aa8f-b6415d051d9b) - ![A progress shot of the full-body Lord Hanuman sketch. His upper body and tail are shaded, while his legs and the rock he sits on are still outlined.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/c586c134-c32d-4a5c-9885-7014dccf55ec) - ![A photo of my hand adding the final touches to the MS Dhoni portrait, showing the tools I use and the drawing on my desk.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/76d93ea5-bd29-4a11-bfbc-db4b01574fdb) - ![A close-up of the initial shading on Lord Hanuman's face. This shows how I begin to build depth and form before adding the finer details.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4715be53-e2ef-494e-8d24-f0d9adf66cf3) ## About The Artistic Process: From Sketch to Reality I start every piece with a grid-method outline to ensure the face matches your reference photo perfectly. This is not just a sketch; it is a 40-hour process of layering graphite and charcoal, building depth one pencil stroke at a time until the portrait feels alive. When you commission a piece, you are not just getting a drawing. You are getting the result of days spent focusing on the tiny details that define a person—the texture of hair, the reflection in the eyes, and the unique curve of a smile. ### My Technical Process - **The Grid Method:** I begin by mapping out the facial structure using a precise grid. This ensures 95% accuracy compared to your photo. It is the boring, technical part, but it is the most important step for getting the proportions right. - **Graphite & Charcoal Layers:** I use a variety of pencils, ranging from 2B for initial light sketching to 10B for those deep, dark shadows that give the portrait a three-dimensional look. - **Texture & Highlights:** Once the shading is done, I use erasers and brushes to pull out highlights. This makes the skin look soft and the eyes look bright. - **Preservation:** Every drawing is finished with a matte fixative spray. This stops the charcoal dust from smudging and keeps your artwork safe for years to come. Whether it is a hyper-realistic graphite portrait or a vibrant watercolor piece, my goal is to capture more than just a face. I want to capture the person. If you are looking for a custom sketch of a loved one, a celebrity, or even a deity, know that I treat every paper with the same level of focus and patience. ## About Vikash Tanti Hi, I'm Vikash. For me, art is not just lines on paper, it is a feeling. I spend days chasing the tiny details that make a portrait look like it might just start talking to you. If you want something real and personal, I am here to draw it. [See all of Vikash Tanti's services](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist) ## More from Devotional & Pop Culture Artwork by Vikash Tanti - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/featured) - [Devotional Graphite & Charcoal Sketches](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/devotional-graphite-charcoal-sketches) - [Vibrant Divine Paintings](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/vibrant-divine-paintings) - [Celebrity & Icon Portraits](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/celebrity-icon-portraits) - [Miscellaneous Artwork](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/devotional-pop-culture-artwork/miscellaneous-artwork) ## More services by Vikash Tanti - [Online Drawing Workshops](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/online-drawing-workshops) - [Realistic Portrait Drawing](https://mytribe.in/bikxu_artist/realistic-portrait-drawing) ## Similar work from other experts - [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 - [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 - [Behind the Scenes: The Making of Hyper-Realistic Portraits](https://mytribe.in/preetam_bendre/hyper-realistic-graphite-charcoal-portraits/the-making-of-a-look-behind-the-scenes) by Kalaakar · Hyper-realistic Graphite & Charcoal Portraits · Commissions delivered across India - [How I Turn Your Photos Into Realistic Portraits](https://mytribe.in/artistmahi_64/custom-portraits-sketches/from-blank-page-to-final-art) by Mahipal Puri · Custom Portraits & Sketches · 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 ## Book To book Vikash Tanti, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Vikash%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20artistic%20process%20and%20would%20like%20to%20inquire%20about%20getting%20a%20custom%20portrait%20sketch.)