15 Realistic Portrait Illustrations That Make an Impact

Discover the illustration talent within the Domestika community

Drawing, as a discipline, encompasses a plethora of techniques and styles. Realism is one of them, and it requires a lot of practice and great attention to detail; it demonstrates great technical ability.

In this blog, we present 15 realistic portrait illustration projects from the Domestika community. To discover the process behind each piece, click on the title in red.

Profile of a Man, by Krystan Grace Art (@krystangraceart)

United Kingdom

This detailed portrait was created with white chalk and Derwent Charcoal pencils on black paper.

Self-portrait, by Marta Alonso (@martaelele)

Madrid, Spain

This is Marta’s final project for the course, Realistic Portrait with Graphite Pencil. She says it was a welcome change getting to work on a project with a slow and detailed process.

Portrait, by Andrés Merchán (@andres_merchan)

Bucaramanga, Colombia

This project is the fruit of what Andrés learned in the course, Pictorial Portraits Using Digital Techniques, and was created using digital brushes.

Iggy Pop, by Mónica Burgos Llaguno (@moqui76)

Lima, Peru

This project was created while following the tips shared in the course, Realistic Portrait with Coloured Pencils. Mónica accurately captures her model's expression and the textures of their face.

Portrait, by Yuliana Álvarez (@julie_agnes)

Mexico City, Mexico

Yuliana says that she had never taken drawing classes before. What she learned in the Realistic Portrait with Graphite Pencil course helped her to polish her technique.

Portrait, by Laura Ortiz (@ortizmatalaura)

Mollet del Vallès, Spain

The life-like quality that Laura achieved recreating a photograph in graphite pencil for the course, Realistic Portrait with Graphite Pencil, is breathtaking.

Frank Ocean, by Luis Felipe Acevedo (@junglecat_safari)

Montreal, Canada

This instantly-recognizable portrait of singer Frank Ocean was created with colored pencils.

Portrait, by Jimena Ramirez (@ni_mini)

Eindhoven, The Netherlands

Jimena worked from a photograph to create this remarkable watercolor portrait as part of the course, Artistic Portrait with Watercolors.

Woody Harrelson, by Néstor Canavarro (@nestorcanavarro)

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Néstor created this spectacular portrait of the actor with colored pencils. Discover his techniques in the course, Realistic Portrait with Coloured Pencils.

Jon Snow, by Valle Siles (@vallesiles)

Villanueva and Geltrú, Spain

This portrait of the legendary TV character was created with graphite pencil and charcoal.

Anxela Díaz, by Roberto Losada De la Cruz (@robertolosada)

San Lorenzo del Escorial, Spain

Roberto's first realistic portrait was completed over several weeks as part of the course, Realistic Portrait with Graphite Pencil.

Bella is crying, by Abril Cano Sánchez (@avrxi)

Barcelona, Spain

This digital portrait was created in Adobe Photoshop, allowing Abril to experiment with color in the final piece.

Portrait, by Nashaat Conde Cid (@nashaat)

Zaragoza, Spain

This is Nashaat’s final project for the course, Realistic Portrait with Graphite Pencil. However, instead of using traditional graphite pencils, Nashaat created their portrait with digital pencils in Clip Studio Paint.

Portrait of Erna, by Erna Alvarado and Kevin Perez @ernkev)

Guatemala, Guatemala

This is another final project from the course, Realistic Portrait with Graphite Pencil. The illustrators have shared their entire process–from sketch to shading to details.

Quentin Tarantino, by Carlos Rodríguez Casado (@carlosrodriguezcasado)

Madrid, Spain

This illustration was featured in the supplement of the Spanish national newspaper, El Mundo. It was created in watercolors. Learn more about Carlos' techniques in his course, Watercolor Illustration: Recreate Your Most Iconic Scenes.

Don’t forget to share your projects with the community here!

English version by @eloiseedgington.

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