Get More Contrast and Realism in Pencil Drawings

[@ChrisR_68]

I renewed my interest in drawing last year,was busy last 18 years bringing up mu son and daughter,just as I realised I still have not lost my talent for drawing,i came across you J.D and wow your work blew me away !!! Ive always been very attracted to pencil drawings,esp realistic so I bought your book,its amazing,as im im UK,cannot make your workshops,so im now on studying your book to make me a better realistic pencil artist. Your videos are fab too,so thanks to you and your book :-)

[@JDHillberry1]

You have to keep all highlights clean while you draw. My motto is "clean up as you go". I always try to avoid smearing into white areas. If you accidently get any value in an area you want to remain white, remove it immediately before it gets ground in to the paper and can't be removed.

[@artalli7170]

Thank you so much. In the first 5 minutes you taught me more than my teachers in my art classes in college. Thank you for putting so much time and energy into other people. It's very sweet and thoughtful. I can increase the quality of my work immensely with your tips, and thus, really....the quality of my life. :)

[@jcepri]

I purchased his tutorial on light, shade and textures the other day. It's unbelievably detailed and covers a lot more than I thought. It's actually a collection of tutorials, not one. The plank of wood and the stucco tutorials are excellent, as well as the section on folds and wrinkles. I've had a really hard time with drawing folds. They never come out right. Not anymore! I realize I was doing it all wrong. Totally worth the money!

[@JDHillberry1]

Thanks so much Jeff! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work in the forum!

[@barrynotlarry]

I have taken a lot of drawing class's off and on since the 70's and am a graphic artist by trade. I have never seen anyone explain "graphite shine" as well as you just did. I use graphite and charcoal every week in my life drawing group and have done so for years. This drives a lot of the "old timers" nuts with the mixing of the two. Now I can show them your work as an example of how it is mixed to pull off the full range of tone. Thank you so much for this How To Class.

[@JDHillberry1]

+barrynotlarry I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes. Please share my work with your group. Happy Drawing!

[@JDHillberry1]

It is all about placing the highlight right next to (or slightly in) the pupil. When a white area like the highlight is next to a very dark area like the pupil, it has more contrast making the highlight appear brighter.

[@learnerlearns]

Excellent video! Though I've studied art for decades, read many books and attended arts schools, I find this video format to be the most efficient way to communicate visual ideas. That's especially true when a knowledgeable-experienced artist takes the time to edit the video & include relevant narration with examples. It is also nice to hear clear narration with no distracting music, no "uhh, uhh," no smacking lips & no unfinished sentences. Useful info, presented clearly & concisely! A +++!

[@choochoochooseyou]

JD, I visited your website tonight for the first time in ages to see if you were showing any new work and I found your videos. So good to see the man behind the pencils. When I got back into drawing about 14 years ago it was yours and Lee Hammond's work that inspired me to really work at it. Your tips for getting truer blacks is so helpful. I'll be ordering as soon as possible and look forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@JDHillberry1]

I map out the areas with graphite first but I don't add the value. In other words, I use the graphite very lightly to get a good outline of the shapes, then decide the areas that would need charcoal and the areas that would need graphite. Graphite is very slick, so I usually try to avoid putting down tone with graphite first. If you get it to heavy, the charcoal won't stick evenly. I hope this helps answer your question.

[@KiyoNanni]

Pencil drawing is something that has always intrigued me, how shades and shadows are created, and light created. It's fascinating. Thank you for sharing your tips on the right tools to use and to apply them to paper. I will watch your other videos!

[@BENEFIELdAVON]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR ADVISE AND ART SHOWCASES. YOU'VE HELPED ME FROM THE BEGANNING OF TRYING TO DRAW REALISTICALLY. THIS VIDEO WAS ALSO VERY HELPFUL TO ME, THANKS! YOU 'RE AWESOME!

[@lad1996]

My goal is to become as good as an artist as you are! I am 17 and have been drawing for as long as I can remember. I am now really starting to see the realism in my drawings, and improve my technique each and every portrait I draw, but yours are just, well amazing!

[@JDHillberry1]

It not only crossed my mind, I readily admit it!

[@outphase78]

Thank you so much for this video, I've been using graphite for so long I didn't know why my drawings weren't coming out as realistic as I wanted them to. Now I see charcoal and graphite are like brothers. They compliment each other so well that it shows in the drawing. Really helps that you showed and explained where to use the charcoal as well since I'm not to keen on how or where to use it. Thanks again for this in depth video and I hope you continue to help teach more techniques.

[@Circlelineartschool]

Another super subtle portrait, thank you!

[@Water-on-the-hill736]

9 years later finally a reply💀

[@TruthSurge]

yes, if you leave the bottom fading away or some edges even unfinished, sometimes it can look cool but then not too much or the viewer will ask "why didn't they finish it?". But a common idea is to render the edges a little more blurred so that it looks like a depth of field effect and the front of the face comes into even sharper focus due to the contrast between the blurred edges (less important) and the actual face (highly important). good luck!

[@urgulp]

Wow you really are a master with the pencil. Your subjects must be over-the-moon with the quality of your portraits.

[@foreropa]

I only can say, thank you, this videos are extremely good. I don't understand people who want it all quickly explained, this way is good and very complete, it has to be this way so you can understand it well. Thank you very much!!!!

[@chileyork]

man! years ago i was looking for some book to learn some trick about oil painting,i'm self taught in oil painting,and i went to barnes and noble on fifth ave,man i forgot the other book,back tu queens and reading your book,amazing drawings and a lot of information,you are a great artist,congratulation...i have my "drawing realistic textures in pencil" brand new,the most helpful and cheap book ever...i just find your channel...amazing art...

[@monroeartstudio]

JD. I bought your book a long time ago when I stumbled onto your work over at ArtPapa and it's still one of my favorites. In fact, I recommend it as a 'must have' to other artists who contact me for tips. Thank you for sharing, and I look forward to one day attending one of your workshops.

[@JDHillberry1]

It is much easier to put graphite over charcoal than charcoal over graphite. Graphite is very slick. After all, it is used as a lubricant. One mistake many people make is they try to pump up the contrast by trying to put charcoal over graphite. I also don't recommend spraying fixitive on it "before it falls off". If you are going to try to blend the two, apply the charcoal first.

[@JDHillberry1]

I use a combination of reference photos and real life - especially for my trompe l'oeil and still life work. I always use reference photos for portraits. If possible, I use quite a few photos with different angles, exposures, etc. are used for one portrait. The more visual information I have the better the drawing will be.

[@JDHillberry1]

Yes. I use graphite in combination with charcoal in most of my drawings. They each have thier place.

[@mkstg12345]

thank you. i see what you mean. i did a portrait of my nephew using multiple photos after i read your response. before i was just using one photo per portrait. but this time i was able to do facial features much more accurately. and thank for these videos that you take the time to make. they've taught me improve quite a bit. i'm planning on getting your book soon.

[@rodgerharris6319]

Really Good , teachings on drawing JD Hillberry thanks for sharing your artistic drawing style !

[@DebraMorgan6455]

I love the different techniques for graphite and for texture, the charcoal.

[@nancymabry]

You are awesome! Thanks for sharing so much info! I always get inspired to try harder for realism after watching you draw.

[@vladisk]

One of the most gifted artist till date!

[@philpreston6406]

Superb drawings my friend...........and video. Appreciated it!

[@AndrewKirkArt]

I love the illusion involved in your drawing, JD. Fantastic work.

[@JDHillberry1]

Thank you, Andrew.

[@cheshnuts]

Hi. Mr Hillberry as an experienced artist myself I have been using this technique for a number of years, and find the best graphite brand of pencils to mix with charcoal and carbon (pencil or powder) are the japanese brand mitsubishi Hi-uni 22 degrees ranging 10H - 10B The harder pencils are fantastic for creating silk glass and metal textures, I live in the UK and found these pencils on Ebay from a japanese seller. I own a copy of your book and highly recommend to others to buy. fantastic work

[@JDHillberry1]

I use both charcoal and graphite in every drawing. The charcoal for the darkest areas and graphite for the lightest.

[@JDHillberry1]

Very dark graphite will shine, regardless of the paper. You are correct however, that the smoother the paper the more you will see it shine. Still, you can't get extremely dark values with a plane graphite pencil without seeing that distracting shine.

[@ShonnaWhite]

Fabulous. Thanks so much. I've been worried about getting into using charcoals, but now I can see how useful they can be. Time to learn to use them!

[@JDHillberry1]

Shonna White , I'm glad you are ready to try to take your drawing to the next level. Expanding your value range by including charcoal will do that for you.

[@bigfooter100]

Thanks for the great video. You are a very humble and intelligent teacher. You make viewers trust you. Good Luck!

[@connystoop1610]

Thanks to your tutorals I have improved and keep on doing so.

[@FireMeetsTnT]

Im only 13, and been drawing for only 6 years. Im not improving that much, but for watching several videos- Im becoming much better. You are a very inspirational artist in everything you draw. Thank you sir :)

[@DreaminginWaves]

You are awesome; I've been following your work since the day I stumbled on your website as a kid, years and years ago. Hugely inspirational!

[@butch3351]

MY LOC YOU RIGHT....YOU A GENIUS CUZZ....I BEEN DRAWIING ALL MY LIFE AND I NEW THAT IF I'M DRAWING SOME REAL LIFE SHIT...I NOTICED THAT THE PENCIL LEAD THAT I WAS USING WAS SHINNING OR GLOSSY...YOU MY NIGGA THANKS HOMEBOY... PENCIL GANG

[@JDHillberry1]

Graphite is fine for lighter colored eyes. I use 2h extra hard charcoal for darker colored eyes to avoid the graphite shine.

[@dimplez1ish]

This comment has just helped me decide how to finish off my latest portrait! I've been deliberating this for a while but just as you said, "it's not a photo but a piece of art" - Thanks!

[@JDHillberry1]

I have some notes written off to the side of the camera with bullet points of what I want to say. You caught me checking to make sure I covered everything. : )

[@JDHillberry1]

@ryanandrewbrown1 When it comes to pencils, there is a difference between graphite and carbon: Graphite pencils: They are made of a mixture of clay and graphite. Their composition allows for the smoothest strokes. Carbon pencils:They generally are made of a mixture of clay and lamp black, but are sometimes blended with charcoal or graphite depending on the darkness and manufacturer. They produce a fuller black than graphite pencils, but are smoother than charcoal.

[@laytonmiller5865]

Have been just starting to dabble with mixing charcoal and graphite without really knowing what to use. It is helpful to get actual recommendations both on what pencils to use and underwhat circumstances to use them. Thanks a lot, I'll be checking out more of your stuff. Great realism, I aspire to this! Bravo!

[@RachelLucker]

You are a terrific artist and I look up to you so much!

[@JDHillberry1]

For bright highlights, I leave the paper white. You can never erase your paper back to total white after a value is applied. To make that highlight look the brightest like in the eyes I place it next to the darkest values I can get and those are done with charcoal for the pupil of the eye.

[@artbyanoop3802]

Wonderful tutorial. Learned about the proportional divider and can’t agree more with you on its usability!! Thanks a lot!

[@JDHillberry1]

Wow, I wish there was a way I could explain it in the and knowing the blending materials and pencils to use to get the effects you are looking for. Oh yes... and practice. Contrast is also a huge factor. You can't make things look realistic if they are lacking in contrast. That's why I use charcoal and carbon to give me extremely dark contrast without any shine you get from graphite. That's all I have room for here. Stay tuned for more videos.

[@wesson120894]

MORE VIDEOS PLEASE JD YOU JUST TAUGHT ME A LOT

[@JDHillberry1]

There is a "mat" fixitive you can try, but it can't completely eliminate the graphite shine. That's why I like to use charcoal and carbon for the darkest values in my drawings to avoid that shine in the first place.

[@sarys73]

omg Mr. Hillberry your work is amazing. I love realistic drawings but I can't draw so I just google up and admire other folks work. There are so many wonderful artist out there, but after looking around at some of your work I have to say, I will remember your name for the rest of my days.

[@JDHillberry1]

+sarys73 I appreciate that. Yes. There are some amazing artists out there and the power of the Internet lets everyone know about them.

[@Der.Kuestendrechsler]

This video combines wonderful with your drawing techniques book. Congratulations for the great work - keep going the good stuff!.

[@missy67002]

Awesome video JD! You did a great job describing the differences in the graphite and charcoal. I can look back to this video if I need a refresher course. : )

[@AWOLHeretic]

dude, you just might be one of the best pencil artists out there too day ... YOU'RE F****** AWSOME!

[@reesa5126]

tbh your tutorials taught me more than my art classes

[@JDHillberry1]

+x.x x.x I'm so glad you are enjoying the tutorials. Make sure you check out my page at www.jdhillberrytutorials.com for more instruction and unique drawing supplies.

[@naso7985]

Reesa

[@1934rod]

Great lesson JD. thanks for taking the time to make these videos.

[@TruthSurge]

I like portraits that are very realistic in the face or focal area then fade off into a more loose depiction. It just reminds you that it's not a photo but a piece of art. like at 11:46 I'd leave it alone and not darken anything else. let the eyes and mouth be the attention. but what do I know? :) nice drawings!

[@neehaglee7249]

Its so nice watching your videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@JDHillberry1]

My portraits start at $1,500 for a simple 14" x 18" head shot. If it is more complicated or contains more subjects the price goes up from there. I can work of of photos that you supply. One third deposit is required to get me started and the balance is due when you approve the portrait. Feel free to email me from my website

[@ellandrhia]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do these tutorials. I live in the UK would be unable to take part in your workshops do this is the next best thing. You have definitely inspired me to do more drawing especially now I know what materials to use. Your tutorials are invaluable, more please.

[@MrGareth1973]

Great video! Please post more and thank you for your wonderful book. I hope you write more books in the future. Best

[@sapphireangels7]

I had to post this again -- YOU ARE AMAZING!!! WOOOOOOOWWWWWW!!! I just purchased one of your books as I really want to grow as an artist. I LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING IT!! ~ : )

[@jamesdangerharvey]

I purchased your full pencil set after watching your videos, then called generals pencil company for more info, they sent me out an amazing sample pack along with my order. I drew a portrait of Einstein (in my videos if you care to see). THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS! time lapse videos don't really help and there are too many of them. you got me started with charcoal and graphite. the Einstein was my second drawing with them. many say its my most mature work yet. :)

[@chloehuxham5621]

You are absolutely amazing! You have incredible talent that is out of this world! Great work and thanks for sharing your tips :)

[@Fyre21502]

Incredible eye opener! thank you so much for taking the time to share your knowledge and posting these videos. I can't wait to try these techniques,I've ruined many drawings trying to achive these values with graphite. I would like to see a demo of how you draw the taped picture.

[@ChristinaGriffiths]

Beautiful drawings and oh how I envy your talent tfs

[@THESHOMROM]

Invaluable information! Extremely generous of you for sharing. Thank you so much.

[@nexstar718]

thanks so much for your pencil choice suggestions.

[@OCanadah]

Great information and artwork! I am fairly young and new into realistic portraits. I recently did a fairly realistic portrait and as I was doing it I thought it was well done. After moving the piece into a different room + different lighting, I could easily see the shiny look which is very unrealistic. Very informative video and I plan to get myself some charcoal pencils. Thank you!

[@diegocrusius]

this video is very interesting. You really know what you are talking about. Absolutely hitting your website and probably getting your book, as you talk about what I need to know exactly.

[@JDHillberry1]

yes. I ship all over the world. Just go to my website to email me and I'll let you know shipping costs and how to order. You can order a signed copy of my book too if you are interested in that. JD

[@JDHillberry1]

@yarmo28 I use the back side of Arches 140 lbs hot press watercolor paper for most of my origianal drawings these days. I'll be doing a video on paper in the near future that will explain why.

[@JDHillberry1]

MrMusickey, I wouldn't try the indentation techniques for wrinkles. To accurately represent a wrinkle, there needs to be a hard edge and a soft edge. The indention technique results in hard edges. It's great for white whiskers, stitchery, wild grey hairs, etc, but not for skin tones. I hope to have some info for drawing wrinkles in an upcoming video.

[@dom1000000]

Great video thank you. I am constantly battling with shine as i love deep contrast drawing. I will be purchasing these recommended pencils presently!

[@pencilartsocietyinc2581]

Nicely done. Great video for anyone wanting to learn.

[@deyodie]

Love love love your work ,beautiful

[@CDGOMAN1]

Hello Mr. Hillberry, I say Mr. because I am old and well that's a term I still use. I have Your book and the equipment that you suggest has improved my drawings as well as trying new papers. I am unable to travel to your classes and hope that at some point you will consider DVD lessons on different subjects such as textures hair and so on. Maybe even online classes that can be purchased. Now as for your art well it sort of speaks for it's self.

[@JDHillberry1]

Charcoal doesn't not "hold" well if the paper is too slick. I use Arches 140lbs hot press watercolor paper for my original drawings. It has enough tooth to hold the medium but is smooth enough to create smooth textures. You also shouldn't brush over any completed parts of your drawing using either graphite or charcoal. Always keep a barrier between your hand and your drawing.

[@puzzleguy169]

Extremely helpful videos! Can't wait to try to utilize some of the info I've learned.

[@jonathanthyng9152]

The difference is incredible!

[@1934rod]

JD. Its great to see you on youtube, I have purchased your book and recently the Primo drawing set (both great) after drawing with graphite for many years its a different feeling using charcoal, very scratchy and lots of drag. What would be cool is if we could email you some of our work for you to critique, I would like to attend your workshop if you ever plan on doing one on the east coast "NewEngland" neighborhood. Thanks for taking the time to show us how its done.Vic

[@MrMusickey]

Yes, I ended up starting over. I'll be waiting for your videos. :)

[@arboless]

Wish I had a teacher like him.. Best art I've seen!!

[@vishveshtadsare3160]

Your videos are so beautifully explained! Even a steadtler 8B and EE gives a little bit of shine. You literally made me buy the idea that you must use charcoal to get no shine in dark areas. Thank you very much!

[@kassponia]

Great video, fantastic artwork. Love the skin texture, hope to apply this technique

[@wendymatenga9122]

This is the best and most helpful drawing demo I have ever seen, thank so much.

[@JDHillberry1]

I love "dirty" stumps! I I'm not sure I've every thrown one away. I have some that are loaded with graphite and some that are loaded with charcoal, so I don't mix them up. If a stump has too much medium on it you can erase some of it off with a kneeded eraser or sand of some of it with sand paper. I do buy new ones occationally when need one that is totally clean. Great question!

[@JDHillberry1]

@vetricelvan No not at all. Each has their place. You can do some things with graphite that you can't do with charcoal - extremely smooth textures for instance.

[@BerleyQubed]

Thank you so much JD. Your videos are by far the easiest to understand and the most informative. VERY VERY helpful. :)

[@newagemassacre]

This was really helpful, i always struggled with getting my darks dark enough! this is gonna improve my art so much!

[@BushcraftOnFire]

Excellent video Bro.. I have been following you since I began drawing.. and can't wait to see more of your instructional videos! Thanks for doing this!

[@AirOps]

Absolutely unbelievable artist. Great job JD!!

[@DubbardAdams]

The rough skin pic of the old man is amazingly realistic. Boss work my friend..

[@kevingreenhill8404]

Really amazing tutorials

[@JDHillberry1]

+Kevin Greenhill Thanks, Kevin.

[@bentfishy]

Wow, I am completely blown away. I'm getting back into drawing after a 10 year hiatus, and I just drew a graphite drawing last night. It looked decent, but I was unimpressed with how lacking the dark values really were. Never would have thought to use charcoal in combination with graphite. Feels like a piece of the puzzle has been added to my drawing arsenal. Thank you for this video!

[@yayefall1]

this is amazing thank you for sharing this beautiful art_love and light

[@7eyeswonder]

Surely I am gonna learn a lot from You Sir in the days to come!

[@silentsketcher_97]

Thanks, i feel inspired now to draw and thanks for giving insight on the use of other pencil, not just graphite, to produce that realistic look.

[@JDHillberry1]

Hi TierfreundinX, I used photos of my hands tearing through the paper and looked in a mirror for most of my face.

[@vegardoppoverbakke]

can you please make som more video's? you are the best to learn the techniques and explain! love your art:)