Have you ever wondered how to draw realistic portraits with graphite? Do you want to learn the secrets of creating contrast, texture, and depth with pencils? If so, you’re in luck. In this blog post, I’m going to show you how I drew a stunning graphite portrait of Ana de Armas, one of the most captivating and versatile actresses in Hollywood today. And I’m going to share some tips and tricks that you can use to draw your own portraits with graphite.
Ana de Armas is not only a superstar in the film industry, but also a role model for many people. She was born in Havana, Cuba, and started her career in her home country. She moved to Madrid, Spain, when she was 18, and then to Los Angeles, where she had English-speaking roles in films such as Knock Knock, War Dogs, Hands of Stone, and Blade Runner 2049. She rose to prominence with her performance as nurse Marta Cabrera in the mystery film Knives Out, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress. She also portrayed Bond girl Paloma in the James Bond film No Time to Die and Marilyn Monroe in the biopic Blonde. For the latter, she received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, becoming the first Cuban woman to do so.
I admire Ana de Armas for her talent, beauty and personality. She has a stunning smile and expressive eyes. I wanted to challenge myself by trying to draw a portrait of her and capture her likeness with graphite, a form of carbon that is used in pencils.
Graphite is one of my favorite mediums because it creates contrast and texture. Graphite can produce different shades of gray depending on the pressure and hardness of the pencil. It can also be blended, erased and sharpened to create realistic effects.
So, how did I draw a graphite portrait of Ana de Armas? Let me walk you through the steps.
Step 1: Find a reference photo
The first step is to find a reference photo of Ana de Armas that you like. You can search online or use a magazine or a book. The reference photo should be clear, high-quality and show her face from a good angle.
I chose this photo because it shows her natural beauty and smile:
Step 2: Sketch the outline
The next step is to sketch the outline of her face, body, and hair on a sheet of paper using a light pencil (HB). You want to get the proportions and angles right, so I used the Reilly method. I like to use the Reilly method because it not only helps get the features in proportion, but it also helps with the different rythems and planes of the face.
Here’s what my sketch looked like:
Here's a video of me doing this step:
Step 3: Add the Values
The third step is to add value to the drawing. In graphite drawing, value refers to the lightness or darkness of an area of the drawing. It is one of the most important elements of drawing, as it is used to create the illusion of three-dimensionality.
Values are created by using different grades of graphite pencils. The harder the pencil, the lighter the mark it will make. The softer the pencil, the darker the mark it will make.
To create a realistic drawing, it is important to use a range of values. This will help to create the illusion of depth and shadow. You can also use hatching and cross-hatching to create different values. Hatching is the process of creating lines that overlap to create a darker value. Cross-hatching is the process of creating lines that intersect to create an even darker value.
By using different values and techniques, you can create realistic and beautiful graphite drawings.I like to add 3 to 5 values depending on the portrait. In this portrait of Ana de Armas, I used a 3 value system. After every value that I added I would smooth it out with a soft paint brush.
Here is a picture of this stage:
Here is a video of this step:
Step 4: Add the details
The final step is to add some finishing touches to her skin, clothes and hair using pencils, a kneaded eraser, a blending stump and a cotton swab. You want to erase some excess graphite, sharpen some edges and blend some tones to make the portrait more realistic and balanced. For her hair I used a range of pencils from HB to 6B. You don't want to draw each strand individually, but block it in with shapes following the direction and flow of the hair. You also want to use lighter pencils for the highlights and darker pencils for the shadows. You can also use an eraser to create some negative space and add more contrast. Last I added shading and details to her shirt and skin on her body.
Here’s a video of what my final stage:
Here's a video of the full drawing as a time lapse:
In conclusion, drawing a stunning graphite portrait of Ana de Armas is a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the tips in this blog post, you can learn how to create a realistic and beautiful drawing that will capture the likeness of this stunning actress.
Here are some additional tips that may help you in your drawing journey:
Be patient and take your time. There is no need to rush.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are a part of the learning process.
Have fun! Drawing should be enjoyable.
I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Also, I want to express my sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for taking the time to explore my recent blog post. Your engagement and support mean the world to me. If you've been captivated by the featured drawing or any other pieces showcased on my website, they are available for purchase. Additionally, I welcome the opportunity to create a custom piece just for you. If you have a specific vision or if there's someone special you'd like me to draw, feel free to reach out. You can contact me via email at artbymikelsean@gmail.com. Your interest and enthusiasm fuel my passion for art, and I look forward to the possibility of turning your creative ideas into beautiful, personalized works. Thank you once again for being a part of my artistic journey.
Warm regards,
Mikel Sean