This portrait is of my father, and it was the last portrait I completed before shifting into other subject areas. It’s a very traditional drawing, he wasn’t the easiest person to photograph, and he was extremely picky about the reference image, which somehow made the process even more personal.

Portraits have always held a special place for me. You spend so many hours with a face, studying tiny textures, subtle expressions, quiet shadows, that you end up knowing it in a way that feels intimate. Working on this piece reminded me why I started drawing portraits in the first place. Since then, stepping outside my comfort zone has pushed me toward new materials, textures, and subjects. But drawings like this stay with me.

Private Collection
Year: 2018
Size: 16″ x 20″
Graphite drawing on Paper