The Art of Custom Pencil Portrait Drawings - Techniques and Tips

The Art of Custom Pencil Drawings

Pencil drawing is one of the most accessible and versatile art forms. With just a pencil and paper, artists can create stunning works of art. From quick sketches to intricate photorealistic renderings, the simplicity of a pencil allows for a wide range of artistic expression.

For many artists, pencil is the preferred medium because it is inexpensive, portable, and erasable. Pencil drawing also allows for a high level of control and detail. The graphite can create soft shading or crisp, fine lines depending on the type of pencil and the pressure applied.

The Process of Creating Custom Pencil Drawings

Custom pencil portrait drawings are unique, hand-drawn artworks created from a client's photograph. The first step in creating a custom portrait is to carefully study the photo to grasp the subject's likeness, expression, and specific features.

The drawing process involves lightly sketching the composition first to map out the proportions and placement of facial features. An eraser is essential for removing any errors and reworking elements. The artist layers in tones and textures using various pencil techniques to build up the forms and add dimension.

Getting the values and details accurate is an important part of achieving a strong resemblance. The shading is blended from dark to light to create the illusion of form and realism. Finally, fine details like strands of hair and facial lines are added to finish the portrait.

Styles of Custom Pencil Portrait Drawings

There are several stylistic approaches to custom portrait drawings:

• Realism - Captures the exact likeness and features in a photorealistic style.
• Impressionism - Softer, loose pencil strokes focus on overall impression rather than every detail.
• Expressionism - Exaggerates features and emotions for a stylistic, interpretive look.
• Caricature - Embellishes and distorts features in a playful, humorous way.
• Portraiture - Traditional style paying careful attention to accurate facial features and emotions.
• Abstract - Simplifies the image down to basic shapes, lines and forms.

Artists will work with clients to determine the preferred style for their custom drawing.

Tips for Commissioning Custom Pencil Portraits

Here are some tips for getting the best results when commissioning custom pencil portrait drawings:

• Provide high-resolution, well-lit photos for reference - this helps the artist capture details accurately.
• Decide on your style preference - realistic, impressionistic, etc. Communicate this to the artist.
• Understand the time required - quality hand-drawn portraits take patience and skill from the artist.
• Be open about revisions - some back and forth with the artist ensures the final result matches your vision.
• Provide relevant reference photos - additional angles, close-ups of features and expression helps inform the drawing.
• Ask about the artist's background and training to ensure a high level of draftsmanship and drawing skills.

With clear communication and reasonable expectations, custom pencil portrait drawings can result in beautiful handmade artwork to cherish.

Pencil Drawing Techniques

Mastering pencil drawing involves learning a variety of techniques. By understanding the essential skills and methods, artists gain more control and can create more refined artwork.

Shading

Shading adds volume and form to pencil drawings. The basic shading techniques include:

• Hatching - Drawing parallel lines in the same direction, spacing determines darkness.
• Cross-hatching - Layering hatching in overlapping directions builds up tone.
• Stippling - Creating tone and texture via tiny dots and marks.
• Blending - Smoothing shaded areas with a stump, tissue, or specialized tools.
• Chiaroscuro - High contrast between light and shadows creates dramatic effects.

Learning to shade dimensional forms like spheres and cubes trains an artist's ability to render light and shadow.

Texture

Techniques for creating realistic textures include:

• Cross-hatching - For coarse textures like tree bark or stone.
• Scribbling - Loose scribbles suggest fur, grass, waves, feathers, etc.
• Dotting - Varying dot sizes, density, and values depict textures like sand or pebbles.
• Blending and smearing - For smooth textures like metal, satin, or skin.

Observing and practicing textures from life trains an artist's observational skills.

Line Work

Line creates structure and outlines in pencil drawing. Line techniques include:

• Contour lines - Outline prominent edges and profiles.
• Gesture lines - Capture motion and energy with dynamic flowing lines.
• Cross-contour lines - Wrap forms to convey volume and mass.
• Expressive lines - Emulate emotions through wavy, jagged, or sensitively drawn lines.

Practicing line control by drawing straight, curved, thick, and thin lines gives important dexterity.

Blending and Smudging

Blending pencil strokes creates smooth gradations. Methods include:

• Paper stump/tortillon - Blend with the tapered paper tip.
• Facial tissue - Softer blends than stiff blending stumps.
• Cotton swab - Controllable blending for delicate areas.
• Blending stump - Made of paper, leather, or felt, sturdy for blending large areas.
• Finger smudging - For broad, loose blending effects.

A light touch while blending prevents overworking an area and muddying the pigment.

Pencil Drawing Tips for Beginners

Pencil drawing allows beginners to easily start exploring their artistic side. With a simple set of pencils and paper, new artists can begin training their skills. Here are some tips to guide beginners on their artistic journey with pencil drawing:

Start With Simple Forms and Objects

It is best for beginners to start by drawing simple geometric forms like spheres, cubes, cylinders and cones. This helps train hand-eye coordination and perspective. Still-life sketches of everyday objects like mugs, fruit, and flowers are also ideal subjects to practice perceiving shapes and shadows.

Focus on Line Quality

Having control over drawing clean lines takes practice. Drawing straight lines, curved lines and ellipses will build motor control. Tracing contours of objects also trains sensitivity to edges. Outlining in pencil is good for establishing proportions before shading.

Practice Value

Learning to shade simple forms is great value practice. Observe light hitting 3D objects and practice recreating the shadows. Work from light to dark, adding layers of shading. Training your eye to see values prepares you for more complex subjects.

Sketch with a Light Touch

Drawing lightly allows for erasing and reworking an area. Hard lines are difficult to remove. Get used to holding the pencil gently and only pressing harder for darker areas. Let shading build up gradually by layering overlapping pencil strokes.

Learn Pencil Drawing Techniques

As a beginner, focus on learning fundamental techniques like blending, crosshatching, stippling, and smearing. Try different ways of mark-making to build skill. Experiment with varied pencil brands and finding the ones whose graphite best suits your style.

Draw from Life

Observational drawing teaches how to perceive shapes, shadows, and details accurately. Set up simple still-lifes or go outdoors for plein air landscape sketches. Photos can guide beginners too but lighting is flattened. Progress to portrait drawing from live models to grasp rendering facial features.

Find Inspiration from Masters

Studying the pencil drawing techniques of master artists accelerates learning. Observe their compositions, mark-making methods, and use of light and shadow. Learning from the old masters provides a solid foundation in realistic drawing.

With regular practice and foundational skills, beginners can steadily hone their pencil drawing abilities. Having patience and staying motivated as you progress will help make pencil drawing an enjoyable, relaxing pastime.

FAQs

How long does it take to complete a custom pencil portrait?

It typically takes an experienced artist 20-40 hours or more to complete a high quality, hand-drawn custom pencil portrait. Quick sketches can be done faster, but detailed realistic portraits require patience and time.

What photo makes the best reference for a pencil drawing?

A high resolution photo taken in bright, natural lighting against a neutral background is ideal. Avoid shadows, reflections and distortions. A sharp image allows the artist to see facial details clearly.

What size pencil portrait drawing can I request?

Custom portraits can range from small wallet-sizes up to large 24x36 inch drawings. Standard sizes are 5x7, 8x10, 11x14, 16x20 inches. Discuss your preferred size with the artist when commissioning.

How do I choose between black & white and color pencil?

Black and white allows focusing just on value, shading and form. Color can better capture the subtleties of skin, eyes, clothing, etc. Select based on your artistic preferences and style.

What pencil drawing paper produces the best results?

For commissioned portraits, smooth Bristol paper is ideal, especially plate or vellum finish. Hot press watercolor paper also works well. Avoid course tooth papers like charcoal paper.