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About Pencil Portraits

Below you will find helpful information about how I create pencil portraits with quality in mind, and how to treat your pencil portrait so that it lasts a lifetime. Finally, see step by step how I create a portrait from your photo.

 

I hand draw your pencil portrait from your favorite photo or photos. I have been drawing graphite portraits for several years, and will create a beautiful gift your family will treasure. Your portrait can be created from one photo, or subjects from 2 or more photos can be used to create a single pencil portrait. You may choose to have a white background, a hand drawn background (from the photo, or another source), or have the background shaded to your specifications. I can also add text such as a name, date, or team number. You can have additional personalization by adding a hand drawn text insignia or creative background.

 

Many paper sizes are available for you to choose from: 6x8, 9x12, 11x14, 14x17, 16x20, and 18x24. All pencil portraits are drawn with artist's quality graphite pencils on high quality 2-ply Bristol paper. This paper is true white, and is quite thick so it resists creasing. Completed portraits are sprayed with a fixative to prevent smudging.

 

I like to create a wide range of tones in my drawings. I feel capturing the true tonal value of a subject, the blackest blacks, the whitest whites, and all the shades in between enhances the realism of my portraits. To achieve good contrast of tones I use many grades of artist quality graphite pencils including: 2H (lightest), HB, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B (darkest). I also use a dark powdered graphite for some drawings to get deep shadows.

 

It takes several hours to complete these detailed drawings. Usually I work on a portrait over several days, a small section at a time. I find it helpful to step away from a portrait occasionally. When I return to it, I see the drawing fresh, and can make any needed adjustments. This process is time consuming, but well worth it. Making these many small changes over a few days allows me to create very realistic pencil portraits. So, please plan ahead and order early for your next special event.

 

Will my Pencil Portrait last?

 

Yes, if treated with care, pencil portraits will stand the test of time. Here are a few guidelines to follow:

  • Always handle them with care, touching only the edges of the paper. Although sealed with a fixative, fingerprints may show, and the oils in your skin can effect the paper.
  • Keep your portrait from direct sunlight, humidity and water. Always keep your portrait in a climate controlled environment. Humidity and moisture can severely damage the paper, causing wrinkling and discoloration. Direct sunlight can speed yellowing of the paper.
  • Store flat, not rolled.
  • Always frame with glass. Plastic may stick to the graphite.
  • Make sure anything touching the paper in the frame, such as the mat or cardboard backing, is made from archival safe material.

When visiting a friend, I noticed she had a pencil portrait of her son on the wall. He was only 2 years old when it was drawn, and was then in his mid 20's. She had treasured the portrait, and it had not faded or degraded in any way, despite the passage of all that time. So, you can rest assured your portrait will last for generations to come.

 

Special requests are welcome! If you need a different paper size, want a special background, or anything else, please contact me. I will be happy to try and accommodate your request.

 

Not sure what color frame to choose for your pencil portrait? See some Framing Suggestions.

Creating a Pencil Portrait, Step by Step
Original Picture Cleaned-up outline sketch of image to get placement for 9x12 portrait. Made with 2b graphite pencil. Initial shading of some of the darker values. This is done with a large blending stump and 8b powdered graphite, lightly applied. Edges are usually softened with a soft cloth.
Darker areas layered with more graphite using blending stumps and pencils. Some detail added to face. Some medium tones blended in with a soft cloth and more layering added to the darker tones. Additional detail added to the face, with the shadows being made still darker. Some highlights picked out with rubber eraser.
   
 

Final Pencil Portrait

Final layer of graphite added to darker sections. Highlights and blank portion of the portrait have been cleaned up with a rubber eraser.

 
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