Realistic Portraits in Colored Pencil

Learn to draw lifelike portraits in vibrant colored pencil

Karen Hull

• Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781633227279
• eBook ISBN: 9781633227286
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art General

*Named Art Book of the Year by Colored Pencil Magazine*

*Named One of the 54 Best Colored Pencil Drawing Books of All Time by BookAuthority*

Rendering artwork that leaves viewers contemplating whether they might actually be looking at a photograph is no easy task. Introducing Realistic Portraits in Colored Pencil—a comprehensive guidebook that shows artists the secrets and steps to drawing lifelike portraits in this dynamic medium.

This engaging resource is perfect for artists who want to improve upon their existing skills and learn how to render realistic portraits utilizing a wide range of techniques. After details about the essential tools and materials, readers will learn to employ a variety of colored-pencil techniques, such as:

• hatching
• crosshatching
• shading
• blending
• layering
• burnishing
• and much more!

Colored-pencil artists will also discover more complex techniques relative to creating realistic portraits, including how to render various textures, from hair and skin to clothing and facial features. Also included is valuable information for collecting all of the elements for polished and professional results.

Packed with clear, easy-to-follow instructions, plenty of helpful artist tips, and beautiful artwork that's sure to inspire, Realistic Portraits in Colored Pencil is the perfect resource for any colored-pencil artist ready to take their skills to the next level. Find more techniques for drawing realistically in colored pencil in Realistic Still Life in Colored Pencil.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Now you’re ready to combine all of the techniques and concepts you’ve learned to create stunning, realistic portraits in colored pencil! In the following step-by-step projects, I’ll show you how to go from initial sketch to fully developed final art.

At the beginning of each project, you’ll find a list of all of the colored pencils I used to complete the portrait. You don’t need to use the exact same palette as me—feel free to explore and experiment!

For each project, you’ll need the following:

• 9" × 12" mat board

• White transfer paper

• Drafting film or tracing paper

• Light box (or a sunny window)

• Erasers (such as a kneadable eraser and the Tombow Mono eraser)

• Fixative (optional)

• Paper towel to rest your hand on

• Soft brush to remove pencil dust

Project 1: Capturing Childlike Innocence

If you look closely, you’ll notice there’s a lot of green in this reference photo. I opt to use dark green mat board, but I keep the background simple. With no visible light in the reference, the focus is entirely on the gorgeous subject.

PALETTE

Faber Castell Polychromos (FC):

144 Cobalt Blue-Greenish

172 Earth Green

176 Van Dyck Brown

179 Bistre

283 Burnt Sienna

Prismacolor (PC):

927 Light Peach

928 Blush Pink

939 Peach

1001 Salmon Pink

1080 Beige Sienna

Caran d’Ache Pablo (CDP):

001 White

043 Brownish Orange

047 Bistre

049 Raw Umber

051 Salmon

063 English Red

071 Salmon Pink

099 Aubergine

270 Raspberry Red

401 Ash Grey

404 Brownish Beige

409 Charcoal Grey

491 Cream

493 Granite Rose

496 Ivory Black

Caran d’Ache Luminance (CDL):

001 White

002 Silver Grey

004 Steel Grey

571 Anthraquinoid Pink

599 Crimson Aubergine

732 Olive Brown 10%

801 Buff Titanium

808 French Grey

821 Naples Ochre

832 Brown Ochre 10%

862 Burnt Sienna 10%

866 Burnt Sienna 50%

872 Burnt Ochre 10%

876 Burnt Ochre 50%

906 Sepia 50%

Note: Pencil manufacturers sometimes change the names of their colors, and you may also notice spelling variations. To match the exact colors I use, refer to the code numbers for each color.

Start with a line drawing. I first create an ink outline on white paper and then transfer the drawing to my mat board when I’m happy with it. Refer to here for tips on transferring your line drawing.

1 Use (CDP) White to lightly draw the whites (sclera) of the eyes, and then use (CDL) White with a heavy hand to accentuate the highlights, including on the pupils and along the lower rim of the eye on the left.

2 Use (CDP) Ivory Black with heavy pressure to draw the pupils and the upper eyelid.

3 Apply (CDP) Raw Umber on the iris and go over it with (CDL) Crimson Aubergine, layering again with (CDP) Raw Umber to create depth and richness. Blend it into the pupils, so there is no obvious line where the pupils start or finish. In the corners of the eyes, add flesh color with (CDP) Salmon.

TIP

The key to great portraits is keeping the layers light enough that you can keep making subtle color shifts if the colors appear too bright, too dull, or just not right.

1 Focus on the right eye and apply another layer in the sclera, pressing more firmly and using tight, circular strokes. Near the top, add a touch of (CDP) Cream or (CDL) Naples Ochre. Apply a touch of (CDP) Brownish Beige, particularly near the top, and glaze a little down the left side of the eyeball; then use (CDP) Salmon to blend it in. If your peachy-pink color isn’t bright enough, gently add a touch of (CDL) Anthraquinoid Pink. You can tone it down again with (CDP) Brownish Beige and (CDP) Salmon; then burnish this section with (CDP) White.

2 Apply (CDL) Burnt Ochre 10% on the upper eyelid and the inner corner of the eye, using light pressu...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Putting It All Together
• About the Artist
• Copyright