Hand-Drawn Portraits in Pastel, Ink & Stippling
I capture human expression and character using the soft, blendable nature of pastels and the precise, meditative dot-work of stippling.
The final portrait of an old man, created with soft pastels and pastel pencils on paper. This was my first major portrait project, and I'm proud of the realistic details in the skin texture, beard, and turban.
A self-portrait created using the stippling technique. Every shadow and contour is made up of thousands of tiny ink dots, which requires immense patience but creates a unique, textured effect.
An expressive portrait created using a simple ballpoint pen and a scribbling technique. This method is spontaneous and energetic, building up tone and form through layered, chaotic lines.
Here I am adding the final touches to my first soft pastel portrait. This piece was a huge learning experience, teaching me how to blend colors to create depth and realism.
A practice sketch focusing on the details of an eye using charcoal and shading pencils. The reflection in the pupil was a great challenge to capture the sense of life and depth.
A short timelapse of me working on a stippling portrait. You can see how the face slowly emerges from the paper as I add dots one by one with a fine-tip pen.
A candid shot of me deeply focused on the portrait. Creating art like this requires complete concentration to get every detail just right.
About this collection
Creating a portrait with me isn't a quick turnaround—a pastel piece often takes over two weeks to layer and blend, while a stippled portrait relies on thousands of individual ink dots. If you’re looking for a piece that captures depth and personality rather than a rushed sketch, we’ll work together on the reference and style that fits best.
I work primarily in two distinct styles, each demanding a different kind of patience. My stippling portraits are built through thousands of tiny ink dots, creating a monochrome texture that feels different from anything else. It's slow, meditative, and incredibly durable because I use archival-grade Micron and Staedtler pens on heavy 300 GSM paper.
For my soft pastel portraits, I lean into realism. I use high-quality pastel pencils and sticks to blend skin tones, fabric textures, and depth. These pieces are fragile by nature, which is why I seal them with professional fixative and mount them behind glass with spacers. This isn't just decoration; it's a preserved moment in time.
Why a custom portrait?
Whether it’s a gift or a piece for your own wall, a hand-drawn portrait holds an energy that digital prints can’t replicate. I don't use filters or automated tools. I look at your reference photo, study the expressions, and draw it by hand.
A note on the process
If you're commissioning me, send over a high-resolution photo. Good lighting is everything—it helps me see the contours and shadows that define a person's character. I’ll keep you updated on the progress, from the initial sketch to the final layer, so you know exactly how your piece is taking shape.
The Messy Hand
Hi, I’m Naina. I believe art is therapy, and every portrait I draw is my way of slowing down to really look at a person’s story. I don’t believe in rushing the process; I’d rather get the shading and every single dot just right.
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