Original Portrait Drawing of a Newly Married Couple

Here is a drawing I did, a commissioned sketch--11" x 14", pencil on paper, celebrating that happy day.

Here are some in progress steps...

Step 1

The first step is to make sure you have the outlines of the people in correctly. I just draw in the proportions using short, choppy pencil strokes. After, I'm satisfied I have the likeness captured, I erase the extra lines, leaving just the outline.

I start shading in everything. In a drawing, I have to work from left to right, or else I will smudge my work. In a painting, I can work everything at once, but again, in pencil, it's much more effective to shade everything with a finished look, and slowly cover the entire surface of the subjects. I use cross hatching, and a little tissue to blend in the shading I put down.

Step 2

I keep filling in the areas, paying attention to the shadows, and always leaving the brightest highlights (like where the sun is shining on their faces, bright white)

Step 3

Getting the skin tone (even in black and white) sharply defined is so important. I use a 0.5 mechanical pencil to keep those sharp edges (such as the area where the collar meets the neck).

Step 4

Here, the drawing is almost done. Yes, I've signed it, but that doesn't stop me from adding just a few more details! When is the drawing done? When the client approves it. Then I don't touch it. :)

The Final Drawing

Hope you found this post helpful and inspiring. Have a blessed day as always,

If you like this post, please comment, upvote, follow me ( @mattphilleo ) and resteem. I post regularly on art, tips on painting and drawing, and encouraging thoughts. You are helping me to do art full-time and support a family. Thank you so much!--Matt

See more of my artwork at: MattPhilleo.com