From Pencil Sketch to Painting

First the study.

With each photograph I am given to paint, I start by looking at how best to approach it. Whether the lighting needs changing alongside the tone and texture I will be aiming for in the finished work. When happy with the initial process, I then begin the sketch.

I create my portraits on cold pressed 300gsm paper by fabriano or canson (link to image of paper) using a traditional scaling technique or a grid for larger portraits with more detail. I begin laying out with a very light sketch ensuring proportions are correct. Once  in place, I start the clean up process, erasing all rough lines and to leave the pencil lines I need as the guide.

Then comes the dry brush technique itself. A style of painting that is unique, as you only need a small amount of oil paint, a few synthetic, hog hair brushes and a kneaded eraser.

Applying a small amount of paint to a pallet and flattening it, with the correct brush you load on a small amount and brush off the remaining oil on a spare sheet of paper to ensure the brush is just dry  enough to make a soft brush mark on the paper/portrait.

Building up in layers is essential with this technique and taking your time is very important. (link to image) Once you have built up a few layers, time for what is the magic part, erasing certain areas with a kneaded eraser, creating skin highlights , hair strands and even eye shine

Each single headshot can take about 3 days to complete and sometimes even longer depending on whether it’s a photo realistic or hyperrealism request .

As I mastered the dry brush technique I added a few other techniques to create a more hyper-realistic effect, using pencils and pens to redefine skin textures. Using white paint I highlight areas for shine and also a electric eraser to pick out finer hairs and details.

An example of the technique is demonstrated in the timelapse video of the actor Sir Ian McKellen below.