Custom Graphite Pencil Portraits

Pencil here means graphite — soft, tonal, black-and-white work, distinct from the colored pencil pieces in the child category. Artists build a portrait by layering grades, from hard H pencils for light skin and highlights to soft 6B-8B for dark hair and deep shadow, often blending with a tortillon and lifting highlights with a kneaded eraser. Photorealism takes time, so study an artist's gallery for clean edge control and believable eyes before you order. Most work from a clear, well-lit photo you upload; note glasses, freckles, or pet markings you want kept. Common sizes are 8x10, 9x12, and 11x14 on heavy archival or Bristol paper. Expect roughly $40-$120 for a single-subject head study and $150-$400+ for full-body, multi-person, or large detailed pieces. Many makers ship originals in 1-3 weeks; rush slots and digital scans are sometimes faster. Originals smudge, so frame under glass and ask whether fixative was applied.

Use the filters to sort by subject, number of people or pets, size, and price, or tap a related search to jump to colored pencil or another medium.