I have been drawing portraits for 20 years.  Over the years I have tried several different mediums but I feel my best work is in carbon pencil. It allows me to draw in dark tones like a charcoal but with more precise lines like a graphite pencil. The pricing listed will be for carbon pencil but I will also draw in graphite and charcoal upon request.



So whats the difference between the three? Graphite is your average number 2 type pencil. It is best for very simple, light colored drawings as dark tones shaded in graphite can appear shiny and detract from the drawing. Charcoal, to me, has a very "dreamy" quality. The product ends up looking very loose , it's not great for fine detail. Carbon is my favorite and the best of both worlds. It has dark tones but can achieve great detail. It's all a matter of personal preference.



Each drawing is hand drawn by me and depending on the size and detail can take anywhere from 40 - 100 hours. The turn around time on each piece varies so if you need a piece for a special occasion or particular date, please allow enough time and be sure to mention your timeframe when you contact me. 



The reference picture is key. The more detail in the photo you send, the more detail I can include. A higher quality scan is best though I have drawn a 9x12 portrait from a 2.5inX 3in reference photo, so it's not impossible - just preferred. Also keep in mind the size and amount of money you're looking to spend and the number of people you would like to include in a single portrait. While I can do a group photo I prefer not to draw 3 or more people in anything smaller than an 11X14. It starts to look too crowded and the heads tend to be smaller and lack detail.