Drawing portraits is a skill anyone can acquire. Learn how to draw photo realistic portraits using graphite/mix pencils. You will use pencils, blending tools, and brushes to enhance your artistic skills to include photo realism. Beginner to advanced artists are welcomed so please do not feel intimidated if you are a beginner portrait artist, this class is for you, too! I've included several small projects to help you build skills and confidence prior to the main class project.

Photorealistic Portraiture: https://shaynewiseart.com

Whether you’re at the beginning of your artistic journey or have bundles of experience and looking to add to your skillset, this course will teach you the steps and techniques needed to create stunning, photorealistic portraits with depth and personality.

I wanted to focus this course on rendering your portrait to showcase a full range of beautifully rich, saturated tones using graphite and graphite mix pencils, as so many people have difficulty in achieving really dark values using pencils. Utilising a full range of values is key to creating lifelike portraiture.

We will cover topics like;

Elements that make a great reference photo
How to transfer your outline easily from reference photo to paper
How and when to transition through pencil compositions whilst maintaining a consistency in tone
How to layer and blend your medium to create super smooth skin blends and authentic hair
Tips on how to slow your work down and be patient with the process, along with how to inspire yourself on those difficult days
How to edit the final photo and prepare to share

Whether you want to improve your portraits for personal use or start a career in commission-based portraiture, this class will catapult you to new artistic levels. I’m 100% certain that by the end of this class, your skills as an artist will have improved tremendously.

So grab those pencils and let’s get cracking!

Photorealistic Portraiture: https://shaynewiseart.com

Materials:

Paper - Strathmore Bristol Smooth - I recommend this paper. If you want to try another brand please make sure that it's 'smooth' and robust. No photocopy paper!
Pencils - Staedtler Lumograph Blue graphite pencils (4H-5B) - Staedtler Black graphite/carbon mix pencils (HB-8B) - Conte a Paris Pierre Noire charcoal pencil (3B)
Pencil sharpeners - Jakar brass double hole: wedge shape - Conte-a-Paris wooden sharpener

Brushes - I recommend buying the different brushes in sets, but if your budget is tight then I’ve listed individual brushes from each set - Eigshow (generic brand) short shader makeup brush (soft bristle) - Bestope (generic brand) makeup brush set (soft bristle) - Small angled brush - Pro Arte Mastertouch Reflex (oil/acrylic) filbert brush set (medium bristle) - No 6 - Daler Rowney Georgian short filbert brush set (stiff bristle) - No 2 & 6

Blending - Soft tissue - Derwent blending stumps - Cotton buds
Erasers - Mono Zero pencil eraser (round) - Faber Castell kneadable eraser
Sandpaper Block - generic
Ruler - If using grid method to outline

Joseph Genova

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