Hand Drawn Portraits from Photos

How Do You Order a Hand Drawn Portrait?

To order your custom hand-drawn portrait, choose a high-quality reference photo, select the medium and size. First, choose a high-quality reference photo that captures the person, pet, or moment you want to commemorate. The clarity and composition of the photo will impact the portrait’s outcome.

Once you’ve submitted your image, you’ll choose the size, medium, and any specific details you’d like to highlight with the artist. After starting your order, our designer will create a draft to ensure the drawing aligns with your vision. You’ll review and approve this draft before the final artwork begins.

What Kind of Hand Drawn Portrait Should You Get?

What kind of portrait you should commission depends on the occasion and your personal taste. Pictures can be used as reference material for creating personalized illustrations, whether they are uploaded photos or pictures sourced from the web. Are you looking to commemorate a family moment, capture a pet’s personality, or gift a loved one? Each type of portrait tells a different story.

A hand-drawn family portrait is a visual reminder of shared moments. It’s perfect for creating warm, lasting memories on display in your home. For example, a pet portrait captures the bond between you and your fur baby. If you’re gifting a drawing, consider the recipient’s style and where the drawing will be hung. Hand drawn portraits are timeless, so they are perfect for special occasions like anniversaries, weddings, or memorials.

What are the Most Popular Mediums for Hand Drawn Portraits?

The most popular mediums for hand drawn portraits include pencils, color pencils and charcoal. Charcoal and graphite are the most popular for their ability to render fine details and contrast, perfect for realistic and expressive portraits. Choose charcoal for bold, expressive lines, perfect for dramatic portraits. Opt for graphite if you prefer smooth shading and subtle gradations for a refined, detailed art style. For a softer, more delicate finish, many people choose colored pencils or pastels. These mediums offer vibrant colors and gentle transitions, ideal for capturing warmth in a subject’s expression or the fine texture of hair and skin.

The medium you choose will affect the final look of the portrait. You can also opt for painted portraits. For instance, watercolor is a great option for those who prefer a fluid and translucent effect. Each medium brings its own character to the artwork, so choose the one that suits the mood and style you’re aiming for.

How Do You Care For Your Hand Drawn Portrait?

Proper care is essential to preserve your hand drawn portrait for years to come. Regardless of the medium, keep the artwork away from direct sunlight, as UV rays can cause fading over time. For charcoal and graphite pieces, frame them behind glass to protect the surface from smudging and dust accumulation. For pastel and colored pencil portraits, use UV-protective glass to shield the delicate pigments from light damage.

Our artists will use high-quality paper for the portrait, as fine art paper with archival properties and texture will add to the quality and durability of the artwork. Always store or display your artwork in a dry, stable environment to prevent warping or deterioration due to humidity. If your portrait is displayed in a high-traffic area of your home, consider applying a protective fixative spray to make it more durable while maintaining its original appearance.

How Do Color Pencil Portraits Differ from Traditional Pencil Portraits?

Color pencil portraits have a more vibrant, lifelike quality. Artists use a full range of colors to capture the nuances of skin tones, hair, and expressions. In contrast, traditional pencil portraits focus on grayscale shading, providing a timeless, detailed look through light and shadow. While traditional pencil portraits have a refined, classic feel, color pencil portraits bring more warmth and personality to the artwork, making them ideal for capturing lively, dynamic subjects.