--- title: "Custom Handmade Portraits from Photos | Realistic Pencil Sketches" description: "Transform your favorite photograph into a custom handmade portrait. I create realistic graphite and charcoal sketches from photos, delivering detailed, personal artwork." canonical: https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/from-photo-to-portrait last_updated: 2025-10-01 --- # Turn Your Favorite Photo Into a Custom Handmade Portrait Tribe Verified · Handmade portraits shipped across India By [Tarun Kumar](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun) · Ships across India · ₹1,800 per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Portrait Drawings](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/gallery) You send the photo, I put in the hours, and we make a piece of art that captures the real you. Whether it is a gift for someone special or for your own wall, I turn your digital memories into hand-drawn realities. ## Photos and videos - ![Here you can see the original photograph next to my finished 12x15 inch graphite portrait. My goal is always to accurately capture the likeness and spirit of the person.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/610283d1-6e13-4f11-b1e6-bed9753d510c) - ![A side by side comparison of the client's photo and my graphite drawing. I focused on recreating the candid nature of the original picture, including the smile and profile angle.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a8b5c417-24ad-4321-a5db-8fd3d1f1553e) - ![Photograph vs Artwork. This comparison shows how I translated the color photograph of Zakir Khan into a detailed, photorealistic graphite and charcoal drawing.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f691af9e-fcfa-4698-a240-dbeff1697b6b) - ![From a colorful selfie to a timeless charcoal drawing. This shows how I can adapt any photo, even one with a fun Snapchat filter, into a unique piece of handmade art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/592e001e-1965-49af-bfbe-f8e89b0cde9d) - ![Nothing beats a happy client. This is the real time reaction I received after delivering the final portrait. This is why I love doing what I do.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/32e2c9d8-66dd-42d6-93cd-967ae30e9b13) ## About From Photo to Portrait I send you work-in-progress shots while I draw, so you can see the shading taking shape. It helps us get the likeness and details exactly right before I apply the final fixative spray to keep the artwork safe for years. Every portrait starts with your reference photo. Whether it is a couple, a family member, or even a pet, I break down the process into clear steps to make sure you get exactly what you have in mind. ### The Process Once we chat about your photo, I begin the blocking phase. If you choose graphite or charcoal, I use high-quality, 200 GSM papers like Fabriano or Brustro to ensure the contrast pops. For color portraits, I layer wax-based pencils to build depth. I am not a fan of rushing art, so I typically take 5 to 10 days to complete a piece, depending on the size and complexity. I keep you updated at the blocking and detailing stages so there are no surprises. ### Why Hand-Drawn Matters Digital prints are fast, but a hand-drawn pencil portrait has texture. You can see the stroke marks and the layering. I handle everything from hair texture to eye details with crosshatching and blending. My goal is to ensure that what you see on the final sheet of paper is an honest reflection of your photo. I ship these across India, flat-packed and reinforced with cardboard, so the paper arrives crisp and uncreased. ## About Tarun Kumar I am Tarun, a Delhi-based artist. Drawing is how I make sense of things, mess and all. When you commission a portrait, you aren't just getting a drawing, you're getting hours of graphite and charcoal work that I've poured my energy into. [See all of Tarun Kumar's services](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun) ## More from Custom Portrait Drawings by Tarun Kumar - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/featured) - [Graphite & Charcoal Portraits](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/graphite-charcoal-portraits) - [Vibrant Color Portraits](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/vibrant-color-portraits) - [Couples & Family Portraits](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/couples-family-portraits) - [The Process: From Blank Page to Art](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/the-process-from-blank-page-to-art) - [Tributes & Personal Projects](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/tributes-personal-projects) - [Additional Work & Sketches](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/custom-portrait-drawings/additional-work-sketches) ## More services by Tarun Kumar - [Live Event Artist](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/live-event-artist) - [Art Workshops & Classes](https://mytribe.in/draw_with_tarun/art-workshops-classes) ## Similar work from other experts - [Realistic Pencil Sketches from Your Photos](https://mytribe.in/create_by_pencilll/custom-portrait-sketches/from-photo-to-art-the-likeness-in-detail) by Shivam Pandey · Custom Portrait Sketches · Based in Mumbai; ships across India - [Realistic Pencil Sketch Portraits](https://mytribe.in/cause_ilove_art/custom-portraits-sketches/featured) by Shweta Rane · Custom Portraits & Sketches · Ships across India - [Realistic Individual Portrait Sketches](https://mytribe.in/aniketardekar_art/custom-portraits-paintings/individual-portraits) by Aniket · Custom Portraits & Paintings · Ships across India - [Realistic Pencil Sketches Hand-Drawn from Your Photos](https://mytribe.in/_tycoon.art39_/hand-drawn-pencil-portraits/from-photo-to-art-the-process) by Shivam Pandey · Hand-Drawn Pencil Portraits · Based in Mumbai, ships across India - [Hand-Drawn Portraits from Your Photos](https://mytribe.in/painted_canvas_by_upasana/custom-portraits-and-sketches/portraits-from-your-photos) by Upasana Rajpoot · Custom Portraits & Sketches · Ships across India - [Hand-Drawn Realistic Pencil Portraits](https://mytribe.in/satyam_vishwa22/custom-portrait-sketches/featured) by Satyam Vishwakarma · Custom Portrait Sketches · Ships across India ## Book To book Tarun Kumar, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hey%20Tarun%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20'From%20Photo%20to%20Portrait'%20work%20on%20mytribe.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20getting%20a%20portrait%20done%2C%20can%20you%20tell%20me%20more%3F)