Pencil portraits
Pencil portraits are portraits in grey tones where each individual stroke of the pencil forms the whole. The technique opens up the possibility of creating incredibly detailed portraits. Pencil can also be used to capture the most important features of a subject in a sketch in just a few minutes. Learn more about pencil and how you can commission a portrait in pencil here.
Order pencil portraits
JNArt is a skilled artist who specialises in creating realistic and detailed pencil portraits. With a passion for art and a desire to create works that clients can keep as memorable pieces of art for life, JNArt uses his expertise to create personalised and unique portraits that truly capture personality and expression. If you want a memorable piece of art that truly captures your personality and charisma, don't hesitate to order a pencil portrait from JNArt today.
What is pencil?
Pencils are made of treated graphite. Different types of pencils are used in art. The most common is the lead pencil, and two others are the mechanical pencil or graphite pencil. Drawings in pencil are characterised by their grey tone. Even the darkest pencils do not produce the same blackness as charcoal or ink. Another characteristic is that when pencil is rubbed into an area of the paper, a shiny surface is produced.
What is needed to draw portraits in pencil?
The craft of pencil drawing can be broken down into a few different skills. On the one hand, the artist needs to master the unique properties of the pencil, such as how hard the pencil should be pressed against the paper to obtain a specific colour (this also includes knowledge of the paper). Secondly, the artist needs to be able to master different wrist or arm movements in order to produce lines of different character. On the other hand, it is important to master various forms of toning techniques, with the pencil or with other tools such as the stump or a cloth. These are the skills specific to the pencil technique. In addition to these skills, anyone who wants to draw portraits needs to master knowledge that is general to all figurative art. Examples of such knowledge are proportion, perspective, value, anatomy, etc.
How can you tell the difference between a charcoal and pencil drawing?
If you see a drawing in person or digitally, you can often tell whether it's drawn in charcoal or pencil by its blackness. The absolute blackest tones can only be achieved with charcoal. A trained eye can also recognise the different types of surfaces created by charcoal and pencil. It can be difficult to photograph pencil drawings so that they capture all the nuances. To compensate for the details that are lost in the photograph, some people may choose to increase the contrast in the photo. This can make pencil photographs appear darker than they really are.
Different styles of pencil drawings
The lines applied to the paper can have an infinite number of different variations. Every artist has their own style. But one thing that often distinguishes drawings from each other is whether or not a stump or some other type of blending method is used. By smoothing out the surfaces of the drawing, it can have a more detailed look.
Other factors that influence the style are lines, value, blackness, contrast, proportions, abstraction, shape design, lineweight, choice of hatching technique.
Different level of detail
How clearly you see individual lines in a drawing when looking at it from different distances can be said to be the level of detail. Some people prefer drawings that look almost like a photograph, even when looking at the drawing up close. Others prefer when each individual line is clearly visible, forming a whole that reads more figuratively or photographically at a greater distance. JNArt offers you the possibility to order drawings in different levels of detail:
Drawing as a basis for painting - or not?
In classical painting, drawing has been a prerequisite for painting. If you can master drawing, you understand what is called value, which is a prerequisite for being able to paint with colour in a realistic way. Drawing is also about understanding proportions and a sketch often precedes paintings. But everyone makes art in their own way and there is really no right or wrong, you can probably learn to paint with colour just by practising it.
Create or avoid glare in pencil drawings
Draw with light pressure against the paper. Light strokes do not give the shiny effect.
The glare can be reduced if special matt pencils are being used. These pencils are slightly darker, so they should be avoided if the end result is to be clearly grey.
To avoid glare completely, you can use charcoal instead. Charcoal behaves differently and is time consuming to draw in great detail.
Other factors that influence the style are lines, value, blackness, contrast, proportions, abstraction, shape design, lineweight, choice of hatching technique.
Difference between drawing from a reference and drawing from the imagination/memory?
Drawing portraits can be two very different things, but they have a lot in common. There are some differences between drawing from a reference and drawing from the imagination without a refence. Drawing from a reference picture can create very detailed images without the artist needing to understand the underlying structure, knowing how something is constructed helps but is not necessary. The main skill in this branch of drawing is learning to see, to see distances, angles, value etc. and to translate it onto the paper. In this type of drawing, the artist makes interpretations of what information is important and what is not.
Drawing realistic figurative subjects from the imagination requires a deep understanding of the structure of a subject. Our world is complex and contains an incredible amount of information that filters through our consciousness. When an artist paints from the imagination, they use simplified models of reality that they can translate into drawings in all possible angles and lighting conditions. Drawing from the imagination can give you the opportunity to create freely and depart from refences. Artists who are good at drawing from references will in most cases be able to create more detailed images than those who create entirely from imagination. An artist who uses both imagination and well-chosen photo refences has the greatest room to manoeuvre.
Charcoal portraits as an alternative to pencil
Charcoal can be an alternative to pencil as a drawing technique. Here are some of the advantages:
Softness and variation: Charcoal is a soft and versatile drawing technique that allows you to create a range of effects and textures. You can use different types of charcoal pencils, charcoal sticks, brushes, or other tools to create everything from soft, blurred lines to sharp, detailed outlines.
Light and shadow: Charcoal is an ideal technique for creating depth and dimension in your drawings by using shading techniques. Charcoal allows you to create both soft and hard shadows that can bring your drawings to life.
Durability: Charcoal drawings are relatively durable and can be preserved for a long time. You can use fixative to protect your drawings from carbon smearing and to ensure their long-term preservation.
Ease of use: Charcoal drawing does not require much equipment or materials but, according to JNArt, is more difficult than pencil because it smears easily.
Aesthetic quality: Charcoal gives your drawings a soft and dark tone that can add an atmospheric feel to your works.
How to order pencil portraits:
A few simple steps
Ordering a pencil portrait is as simple as choosing your budget, level of detail, style, size and technique. If you have difficulty choosing, JNArt can help. JNArt then provides a price estimate for the final product. The customer then approves the process. JNArt then creates the portrait and finally sends a copy of the finished image, along with an invoice. Finally, JNArt sends the image to the customer once payment has been made.
Different styles
JNArt has mastered many different styles of pencil portraits. In the order, you can refer to any drawing you found on the website, or to another drawing if you want JNArt to draw inspiration from another artist's work. If you do not make any choices, JNArt will create to the best of his ability, similar to other drawings you find on the website.
How long does it take to order a pencil portrait
A pencil drawing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to order, but it can be faster. For a slightly higher cost, it is often possible to arrange a fast delivery.
Preservation
Pencil portraits are treated with fixative to protect them. This ensures that they cannot be erased. It also gives the drawing some protection against dust and moisture.
Framing of pencil portraits
Pencil drawings are framed with the same recommendations as watercolour portraits. Avoid moisture, temperature changes and direct sunlight. Use passepartout to create an air gap. Art glass that does not reflect light is preferable.
Drawing from photo
The most common approach to creating a portrait drawing is to send one or more photographs to be used as a bases for the drawing. JNArt then makes a portrait based on these photos. The advantage is that it saves time, the subject does not move, it is easier to get dynamic poses, it is easier to get happy expressions, it does not require as much planning and it is easier to draw more detailed portraits. An advantage can also be that the client can control the image of the subject the artist will take part in and thus control how the final image should look. The disadvantage can be that it is sometimes difficult to create a portrait if there are not enough good photographic references, or that the artist misses out on important information when he only has the client's photographs to work from.
Sitting in a live session
JNArt draws portraits in live sessions. This means that the subject sits in front of the artist instead of using a photo model. These can be quick portrait drawings or longer sessions where several hours are required. JNArt draws so-called sight-size for more detailed portraits.
Collage
The possibility of combining several photographs into one drawing is a good solution for creating a family picture. There are many different ways to combine photographs, so if you don't have an idea of your own, you can ask JNArt to create some suggestions.
Memorial portrait
Charcoal and pencil are good drawing techniques when an individual needs to be remembered. The techniques can be combined with pan pastels or coloured pencils to make certain elements contain colour.
Hyper-realistic portraits in pencil
JNArt can create hyper-realistic portraits. In this case, the client and JNArt agree on a budget and which parts of the photo should be extra detailed, or whether the whole photo should contain the same level of detail. This form of realism in pencil is similar to black and white photos. There are no restrictions on how large the drawings can be. The price is determined depending on the photo used and the size.
Help to take good photo for references
The best results can be achieved if the artist takes the photographs of the subject himself, as the artist can then ensure that the photograph contains all the necessary information. The advantage of the client taking their own photographs is that there are more photographs to choose from and it is therefore possible to find natural facial expressions in natural environments.
Would you like to order a pencil portrait?
Here you can go ahead and create an order request.
