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pencil portraits:original photo reference and the finished portrait drawing |
I think the secret to a good pencil portrait is a very light touch. I try to keep the shading on the face as delicate as possible, hatching lightly to preserve the impression of the natural luminosity of the skin. This is particularly important for drawing children's pencil portraits. (If you are interested in reading some drawing tips, click the link to go to my articles page). You can also click here to see the portrait even larger.
advice on commissioning a pencil portrait:
I supply portraits unframed, however I can offer advice on what kind of frame will suit your portrait. My framing a drawing page has lots of tips on how to frame and look after a pencil portrait
advice on commissioning a pencil portrait:
what size to choose?
For pencil portraits of children, I have a general rule of thumb which is that the younger the child, the smaller the ideal portrait size! Roughly A4 or A3 (see below) should be ample for one subject - if you would like the portrait to show someone's whole body rather than just their head and upper body then an A3 may be more appropriate. For portraits with at least 2 subjects, A3 is usually necessary. Of course you can also have a square portrait, or if you have a particular frame in mind then I can work to any size you specify. (For more details, see the prices page)
I need a photograph that's fairly close up, so that I can see enough tonal definition within the face. The one that you see to the right would all be perfect. (Photos taken on phones are usually too pixillated). Photos taken on a digital camera or school photos are particularly good. You can read a lot more advice about photos on my commissioning a portrait page. You'll also find more information about the whole ordering process, including answers to some frequently asked questions. And of course, you can also email me with any queries you may have.
UK 'A' sizes:
If you'd prefer a square portrait, I can work to a square of roughly equivalent to A4 or A3 size.
what kind of photos to send me
I need a photograph that's fairly close up, so that I can see enough tonal definition within the face. The one that you see to the right would all be perfect. (Photos taken on phones are usually too pixillated). Photos taken on a digital camera or school photos are particularly good. You can read a lot more advice about photos on my commissioning a portrait page. You'll also find more information about the whole ordering process, including answers to some frequently asked questions. And of course, you can also email me with any queries you may have.
framing
I supply portraits unframed, however I can offer advice on what kind of frame will suit your portrait. My framing a drawing page has lots of tips on how to frame and look after a pencil portrait
Images copyright © Portrait artist Anna Bregman