How I Draw
Watch a portrait come together, from the first sketch to the final details.
Max
Drawn in coloured pencil on Fabriano Hot Pressed paper, over about 25 hours. The smooth surface lets me build up thin layers slowly, so the fur and the light in the eyes come together a little at a time.
First eye and sketch
Building the fur
Collar going in
The finished piece
Izzy
Drawn in charcoal and PanPastel on Fabriano Artistico Hot Pressed paper, with titanium white for the highlights. She took around 20 hours. I build up the fur slowly, a little at a time, until her face comes through.
First eye
Face and ears
Neck fur
Finished
Ollie
Drawn in markers and Caran d’Ache Luminance coloured pencils on Fabriano Artistico Hot Pressed paper, with a touch of charcoal pencil on the nose. He took the best part of 25 to 30 hours. I lay the markers down first for the base colours, then work the fur and detail over the top in pencil, a bit at a time.
First eye
Nose
Paws
Finished