I usually start with a picture. If I have a flat picture, I scan it into the computer to make myself several copies and then I enlarge it and crop it. In order to get the best likeness of the person, I will either graph the photo and the paper (a good method for smaller pictures) or project the picture onto paper and draw it from there. An especially good technique for very large portraits. Occasionally, using certain mediums, I will freehand a picture with chalk to get a spontaneous image of the person. This is a fun method to attempt quick drawings of a person, although not the best way to get their true likeness.

The picture to the side is an oil pastel that was first drawn with colored pencil onto Wallis Sandpaper. With this technique, I added color pigment straight from the stick and then smeared it in with a special foam instrument (as seen to the top left of the picture). There are several sizes that make it easy to blend colors.

In order to get detailed areas like eyes and teeth, I use smudge sticks and paper stumps. (These are also helpful in pencil.) I also use pastel pencils and colored pencils for smaller detail like buttons and zippers.

By adding color straight from the stick, I can get highlights and depth from the painting.

The final touch and then the picture is ready for framing.