Thoughts on expressive realism, charcoal techniques, studio reflections, and the philosophy behind my style.
I wanted to capture the feeling of heavy, cinematic stillness by focusing on dramatic pause in motion. The goal is to bridge the gap between realism and expressionism.
It has been nearly a year since I touched a graphite pencil on smooth paper. I’ve been so immersed in the grit of charcoal and watercolor textures that returning to A3 cartridge paper felt like a total reset.
The challenge wasn’t the likeness, It was the depth.
Finding the Perfect Reference
Like any good portrait, it all started with finding the right reference image. I needed something that captured Dwayne Johnson’s powerful presence and charismatic look. After scouring the internet, I found an image that was perfect. The lighting, angle, and expression all came together to create a compelling portrait.
Setting the Stage with the Planar Method
The first step in my drawing process was to lay in the proportions using the planar method. This technique is fantastic for establishing the correct structure and ensuring that all the facial features are accurately placed. I used a 2H pencil fot this stagem sketching loose lines to place in a general guide for the proportions. This is a crucial step, as it sets the foundation for the entire drawing. then I used a 0.3 mm Pentel mechanical pencil to fine tune the sketch/drawing.