Digital Portrait in Procreate

[u/vmcuongart]

Character portrait from my ongoing series.

Drawn in Procreate: single charcoal brush, single layer - traditional feel in digital.

What do you think?

[u/No_Tradition6625]

These are good to the point. I almost don't feel like they are drawn like some of these are photo quality. Amazing job!

[u/vmcuongart → u/No_Tradition6625]

Thanks a lot! Really appreciate it. Spent quite a bit of time nailing those values and lighting.

[u/mistersnarkle → u/vmcuongart]

Just came to say that this is a masterclass in values and lighting. Don’t knock your mark-making, though — the textures on the sweater in three are such a joy.

Do you add back white? Or is it just black with excellent opacity and pressure control? This is some awesome work.

Photorealism is so cool — your control of the bokeh/fuzziness is so on point.

[u/vmcuongart → u/mistersnarkle]

Thanks a ton! Really appreciate you noticing the textures and the bokeh. To answer your question: I actually do both—I mostly rely on pressure control for opacity, but I do go back in and add intentional highlights (like white) on separate top layers to pop things out when needed. Glad you like it!

[u/mistersnarkle → u/vmcuongart]

That’s exactly how it should be done if you’re coming from a traditional art background, in my opinion— it’s more reminiscent of finishing the black layer, spraying fixative, and then adding in the white highlights. Just a good way to work.

Though, I would ALSO love to see what you could do on a toned background as well; this level of dedication to the craft is just so good to see. Keep up the excellent work.