Behind the Scenes: My Portrait Drawing Process
From a blank sheet to a finished portrait, every line counts. Take a look at how I build your commission from the first sketch to the final shade.
Watch as a portrait comes to life. This time-lapse shows my hand at work, using pencils and blending brushes to slowly build up shadows and details on the face.
The beginning stages of a commission. After setting up the grid for accuracy, I start blocking in the main features and darkest areas of the face before moving to finer details.
Further along in the process. Here, the face is mostly rendered, and I'm starting to work on the clothing, blocking in the bold stripes on the shirt.
The final stages of a charcoal portrait. At this point, I'm adding the last details and cleaning up the edges before the piece is complete and ready for the client.
A work in progress shot of my Zakir Khan portrait. You can see the drawing half-rendered, showing the contrast between the sketched outline and the finished, realistic shading.
A close up on the hair drawing process. Creating realistic hair involves layering thousands of individual strokes with different grades of graphite to capture light and texture.
The first work in progress shot of my Rabindranath Tagore portrait. I started with the eyes, as they are crucial for capturing the subject's intense and thoughtful expression.
A charcoal piece in progress. The soft, blended background and the dramatic lighting across the neck and face create a very atmospheric and emotional mood.
A look at a color pencil portrait in progress. I often work in sections, completing the face and skin tones before moving on to the hair and clothing.
About The Process: From Blank Page to Art
I start every piece by setting up a light grid to ensure your portrait’s proportions are spot on before I even touch the charcoal. As I move from the initial blocking stages to fine detailing, I’ll share progress shots with you so you know exactly how your drawing is coming along.
How I Build Your Portrait
Art isn't just about the final image; it’s about the hours spent layering graphite or charcoal on the paper. For my black and white work, I stick to professional 200 GSM Fabriano or Brustro paper, which handles the heavy blending needed for deep shadows and smooth transitions.
The Process Breakdown:
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The Foundation: Every commission starts with an accurate outline. I use a grid method to map out the key features—the eyes, the nose, the jawline—before doing any shading. If the structure is off, the final likeness won't hold.
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Blocking & Shading: This is where I start adding depth. I prefer charcoal for its rich, matte black tones, especially for hair and dark clothing textures. Graphite comes in later for the mid-tones and the subtle details on the skin.
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The Detail Layer: This is the time-consuming part. Whether I'm crosshatching with a ballpoint pen or layering pencil for hyper-realistic skin texture, this stage requires patience. If you look closely at my progress shots, you’ll see I often work section by section, completing the eyes before moving to the rest of the face.
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Finish & Fixative: Once the drawing is done, I seal it with a clear fixative spray. This isn't just for show—it prevents smudging and keeps the graphite or charcoal from fading, so your custom portrait stays clean for years to come.
Why I Share Work-in-Progress (WIP) Shots
I know it can be nerve-wracking to commission an artist. That’s why I keep you in the loop. I’ll send you updates at the blocking stage and the final detailing stage. If something doesn't look like the reference photo, we catch it early. It’s an honest, collaborative way to make sure the masterpiece we create is exactly what you imagined.
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