From Photo to Portrait

I use a very smooth heavyweight paper to draw my pencil portraits (if this is your thing, it’s 250gm Bristol Board!).  I start with the outline using a smooth pencil and then build up layers using different weights of graphite.  Then I get to work with my many blenders to bring the skin to life.  

Once this is completed, it’s time for details that bring out the depths and highlights of the face using many different techniques - this is my favourite part of drawing!  I love seeing the personality of the face in the photo emerge from a blank piece of paper into a beautiful hand drawn pencil portrait.