--- title: "Custom Realistic Portraits & Sketch Commissions in Mumbai" description: "See how I create hyper-realistic portraits and custom sketches. From grid sketches to finished acrylic paintings, get realistic art that captures every detail." canonical: https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/the-artistic-process-from-sketch-to-finish last_updated: 2025-09-30 --- # The Artistic Process: From Sketch to Finish Tribe Verified · 80+ hours of layering per portrait By [Neha Jadhav](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit) · Available online; Ships across India · ₹3,500 per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Artwork & Commissions](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/gallery) Ever wonder how a blank canvas becomes a lifelike portrait? Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how I turn your photos into art, from the first grid sketch to the final highlight. ## Photos and videos - [Video: This time-lapse shows the creation of a commissioned portrait of an elderly woman with a beautiful smile. You can see how I build up the skin tones and meticulously paint each wrinkle and strand of hair to achieve a realistic look.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6af04989-85a9-402c-8615-813319431684) - [Video: Watch as I bring this portrait of an old man to life with acrylics. The video shows my technique for layering colors to create depth in the skin and the fine brushwork used for the mustache and cigarette.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/71e89d01-2c04-4e3b-9403-44c5a4f11e9b) - [Video: This was my first attempt at a realistic portrait, and I documented the process through photos. This video shows the progression of the 'Man in a Turban' painting, from the eyes to the final details of the turban.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/af5dc0af-1a54-449e-9f14-fb16e61e2fe2) - [Video: Here's a look at the hair detailing for the Ravi Dahiya portrait. Using a fine brush, I carefully painted individual strands and highlights to create realistic hair texture on the canvas.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e4b7fb98-e09e-4f79-8ed6-59e0ed6f50f0) - [Video: Adding the fine hair details is one of the final steps in my child portraits. In this clip, I'm using a tiny brush to paint individual hair strands, which adds a layer of realism to the finished artwork.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a1b20391-9a61-4c30-9042-66f7b405c214) - [Video: Details matter. This video shows the process of painting the beads for the Swami Samarth commission. Each bead is carefully shaded and highlighted to give it a three-dimensional, realistic appearance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/503b8075-5ca4-4d11-893a-44ad6e027454) - [Video: A time-lapse of me painting the Indian flag for Republic Day. I used acrylics to create the flowing fabric effect, carefully blending the saffron, white, and green, and detailing the Ashoka Chakra.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6717072a-bfa1-4a52-8391-0d26cf71d6df) - ![A work-in-progress shot of a custom child portrait. The face and basic clothing colors are blocked in, and you can see the grid lines I use to maintain accurate proportions from the reference photo.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/41980dff-9eba-4c89-96d5-cb38a3dbc5f7) - ![The very beginning of a commissioned child portrait. I start with a light pencil sketch on a gridded canvas and then begin carefully painting the eyes and surrounding skin tones.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a23933d3-0813-4867-8df5-fa9be19e104f) - ![Here's a progress shot of the 'Innocence' portrait. The background is complete, and I'm continuing to build layers on the face and clothing. The bow is still in its sketched phase.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d6f4b50e-03bb-4ff7-ad31-ee8a118be6d3) - ![A work-in-progress shot of a commission to paint Swami Samarth. Here, I've just started blocking in the colors for the eyes, using the grid method for accuracy.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8dc12e9e-168c-46d0-81f2-c286018a80d4) - ![The Swami Samarth portrait is taking shape. In this stage, I've established the main facial structure and shadows, working my way down from the top of the head.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ab080f82-697d-4e2a-87e6-a24e09777650) - ![Further progress on the Swami Samarth painting. I'm continuing to define the facial features and add mid-tones before moving on to the finer details and textures.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b81edc46-ebdd-4846-9405-bfb62a3b833c) - ![Here, I'm adding the tilak and building up the skin tones on the forehead. Each step involves carefully blending acrylics to create a smooth, realistic gradient.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b30820a6-2576-454a-b0e2-6d39c817a294) - ![The portrait is now getting more defined. I've started to block in the necklace, which helps to frame the face and establish the composition.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5ea3bdfb-286c-4c6e-aee6-e8ba37473321) - ![In this stage of the Swami Samarth commission, I'm focusing on the details of the face and the necklaces. The grid lines are still visible, guiding the placement of each element.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/422e98ef-9cd1-413b-a433-2b2b87918393) - ![The upper body of the Swami Samarth portrait is now mostly rendered. I'm working on the skin textures and shadows around the torso.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6717f56d-34d1-4b64-8e20-c973845a3002) - ![Continuing to build the form of the torso for the Swami Samarth painting. This stage is all about understanding the anatomy and how light falls on the body.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5c48e209-3bf7-4d8d-8b10-c6c89a2e5caf) - ![The painting is nearing completion. Here, I'm rendering the lower body and the seated posture, ensuring the anatomy and shading are consistent with the rest of the piece.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/556640b5-553d-4191-b878-30a304c26337) - ![The beginning of the 'Kantara' painting. I always start with the eyes, as they are the most expressive part of a portrait. The rest of the face is still a pencil sketch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3ceb2df1-538f-47a9-89ab-1b4f1bc7c6a1) - ![Progress on the 'Kantara' piece. I've established the upper part of the face, focusing on the intense gaze and the traditional headwear.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aac2d885-c346-40b1-b4f0-539aea71cc95) - ![The face is almost fully painted in this work-in-progress shot of the 'Kantara' artwork. I'm working on the dramatic open-mouthed expression before moving to the background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d6f688eb-5b0f-4845-9a1d-1c24e0a271c5) - ![Here, I'm continuing to build the layers of color and shadow on the face of the 'Kantara' character, ensuring the lighting feels dramatic and consistent.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/34a0876e-1cc1-44c6-8c61-ae51ecf2d847) - ![The final stages of the 'Kantara' portrait before adding the fiery background. The face is complete, and I've started to add the dark background to make the subject pop.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4a29f676-86d0-49fb-bdfc-0ea9336a74f1) ## About The Artistic Process: From Sketch to Finish I start every piece with a careful grid layout to lock in exact proportions before a single drop of paint touches the canvas. It might look a bit clinical at first, but this foundation is exactly how I manage to capture those tiny, realistic details like eye reflections and hair texture in the final piece. Many people ask how a simple photo turns into a hyper-realistic painting. The answer is patience and a lot of layers. For my acrylic and oil portraits, I don't just jump into color. I start by studying your reference photo, breaking down the lighting, and mapping it out with a grid. This is the stage that ensures the final likeness is spot-on. Once the sketch is set, I build the painting in stages. I block in the base colors first, then spend hours adding depth, highlights, and micro-details. For hair or skin texture, I often switch to the tiniest brushes I own to get that lifelike finish. This is also why I send regular work-in-progress updates. You are not just getting a final result, you are seeing the layers build up, which helps us ensure the expression and mood match what you had in mind. Whether you are commissioning a pet portrait, a family keepsake, or a specific figure study, this process ensures the final piece feels like a true reflection of the subject, not just a flat copy of the photo. ## About Neha Jadhav I am Neha, a Mumbai-based artist who is a bit obsessed with realism. Whether it is a pet portrait or a family memory, I believe the best art comes from patience, layering, and keeping you in the loop while I work. [See all of Neha Jadhav's services](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit) ## More from Custom Artwork & Commissions by Neha Jadhav - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/featured) - [Custom Portraits in Acrylic](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/custom-portraits-in-acrylic) - [Spiritual & Devotional Art](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/spiritual-devotional-art) - [Intricate Pen & Ink Drawings](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/intricate-pen-ink-drawings) - [Sketches & Foundational Studies](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/sketches-foundational-studies) - [Explorations in Oil & Other Mediums](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/explorations-in-oil-other-mediums) - [My Journey as an Artist](https://mytribe.in/bornadroit/custom-artwork-commissions/my-journey-as-an-artist) ## Similar work from other experts - [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 - [Behind the Scenes of My Art](https://mytribe.in/digitalartbyyashika/custom-artwork-commissions/my-creative-process) by Yashika Khattar · Custom Artwork Commissions · Available online - [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 - [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 ## Book To book Neha Jadhav, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Neha%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20artistic%20process%20page%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20a%20custom%20portrait%20commission.)