Pencil Portrait Of Phillip

Others can learn from the methods employed by this artist who renders effective portrait work based on subjects she is personally acquainted with.

This is a description of the processes and techniques I use to draw a pencil portrait. This is the sixth pencil portrait I’ve drawn. I have a connection with all of the people I have drawn previously, with my husband René being the first subject; then four close friends; and this one of my brother Phillip. Because I know each of the people well, I believe it makes the process easier … as I can tell when I have the ‘personality’ of the person on the page. I am yet to attempt to draw a portrait of a person I don’t know; but I would probably use the same techniques.

STARTING POINT

I needed a reference picture and I managed to snap this original photograph of my brother Phillip. This was taken on my mobile phone, enlarged to about 20 x 20 cm and printed on a colour laser printer.

STEP ONE

I draw a very light pencil outline and then fill in some of the detail. I use an ordinary 2B lead pencil for the start. This stage can often take several days – in developing the face. I will often draw the outline and then look at it for a couple of nights to determine the general dimensions (head and hand), the shape of the face, the positioning of the eyes, and the situation on the full page.

STEP TWO

As I enlarge the picture on the page without the use of grid lines or by tracing, I just use my eye to gauge the similarities between the photograph and the enlarged pencil drawing. This is better facilitated for portraits by folding the page. This stops me from trying to ‘see’ the face. Rather, I consider the features separately; and if these are correct the face will also be realistic.

STEP THREE