Step-by-step Snoop Dogg portrait

I was asked to sketch Snoop Dogg so I thought I’d show you, step-by-step, how I did it.

First I chose a black and white photo that showed contrast in the shading. If you can’t find one that you like that is in black and white you can always edit the colour of the photo using Microsoft Office Picture Manager or another program. I usually do this first anyway to increase the contrast to make it clearer where to shade etc.

Then I divided the photo up into a grid and copied this grid over to my sketch pad. This way you can easily scale the photo up or down. I sketched out the outline of the photo using the grid as a guideline and filled in the key areas like the lips, mouth and nose.

Start to shade in the darkest areas. These are usually the middle of the mouth and around the chin/jawline. You can do this roughly as you will smudge in any bold lines later on when you have achieved the right shapes.

Then go over the shading and add more delicate shading over the top to smooth everything over and bend it in. I usually just use my fingers for this but depending on the medium you are using it may be easier to use a rubber. I use a rubber at this stage to highlight the brightest areas so the drawing doesn’t become a smudgy mess. You may also want to start rubbing out the grid.

Finally add some details in (such as Snoop’s braids) and go back over any areas that need more contrast. Try to be sensitive about which direction you shade as it will effect the final picture.

Keep adding fine details until you are happy with it and really look at areas of the picture that add character or display the person's character; for example in this photo, the upturn of his lip was important to get right in order to achieve the sneer. I’ve also added in a dark background to make the drawing look more edgy and I’ve left a white outline around his head to make him pop out from the page.

For printing purposes I usually exaggerate the contrast in dark and light areas on a computer. You can achieve this though using darker pencils if you have got them.

And here is the final portrait… I hope this blog has been helpful to anyone looking to begin their own portrait drawing. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

It may only be August but Christmas is just round the corner! I'm taking commissions for personalised portraits - the perfect sentimental gift for someone special.

Love,

Posh x

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