Pencil Portraits from Photos of People and pets | Drawings From Photos by Mike

Professional Pencil Portraits By Artist in the UK. Shipping Worldwide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate your loved ones or remember someone special? I create pencil portraits from photos, lovingly hand-drawn with professional-grade ivory black pencils on high-quality drawing paper. Whether it’s a cherished family member, a beloved pet, or a treasured moment, I’ll turn your photo into a beautiful pencil portraits you’ll be proud to display.

The Photo Matters for Pencil Portraits

To get the best pencil portraits results, a high-quality photo is key. Clear images that show the subject’s expression and detail help me draw more accurate and realistic pencil portraits. I start by sketching the outline, then slowly build up layers of shading to bring the drawing to life.

Pencil Portraits - Expressive pencil portrait of a girl with tousled hair and earphones, playfully sticking out her tongue in a lively, modern style.
This striking pencil portrait depicts a young girl with a playful, expressive pose, her tongue slightly sticking out as she gazes directly at the viewer. Her hair is tousled and falls naturally around her face, with delicate pencil strokes capturing both texture and movement. She wears earphones, the cords drawn with fine precision, suggesting a candid, modern snapshot of everyday life. Her clothing, faintly detailed with patterns and shading, adds character without detracting from her face, which remains the focal point of the drawing. The artist has combined realism with expressive charm, creating a portrait full of personality and youthful spontaneity.
Pencil portrait of a confident, clean-shaven man in a suit and tie, looking upward with a calm, composed, and professional presence.
This professional pencil portrait features a middle-aged man with a clean-shaven head and a calm, confident expression. Dressed smartly in a suit and patterned tie, he looks slightly upward with a composed yet optimistic gaze. The artist has rendered the fine lines of his face and the textures of the clothing with impressive precision, capturing both character and professionalism. Subtle shading around the eyes and jawline gives the face a realistic depth, while the crisp contrast of the suit enhances the formality of the portrait. It conveys assurance, experience, and refined elegance.
Pencil portrait of a smiling woman with hoop earrings, styled hair, and expressive eyes, drawn with soft, detailed shading.
This finely detailed pencil portrait captures a cheerful woman with a radiant smile and sparkling eyes. Her hair is styled in a classic updo, adding elegance to her look, while delicate hoop earrings bring a subtle touch of personality. The artist has masterfully depicted the texture of her hair, the smoothness of her skin, and the soft folds of her casual top. The shading is both refined and expressive, offering a true-to-life representation that reflects warmth and character. A delightful and engaging portrait that exudes positivity and charm.
Pencil wedding portrait of bride and groom embracing, showing delicate dress detail, soft shading, and a romantic connection.
This pencil portrait depicts a bride and groom sharing a quiet, intimate moment. The groom stands closely behind the bride, gently holding her hands as he leans his forehead towards hers, creating a sense of closeness and tenderness. The bride wears a strapless wedding dress and veil, her posture soft and reflective, while the groom is dressed in a suit with a tie and boutonnière, suggesting a formal wedding setting. The artist has carefully rendered the smooth tones of skin, the delicate folds of fabric, and the subtle contrast between the bride’s dress and the groom’s suit. Fine shading around the faces and hands enhances the emotional focus of the piece, drawing attention to their connection. The clean background keeps the composition elegant and timeless, allowing the couple’s affection and the refined pencil work to take centre stage.
Pencil portrait of an alert Border Collie with upright ears and expressive eyes, drawn with fine detail and soft realistic shading.
This pencil drawing depicts a Border Collie, captured with a gentle head tilt and an attentive, inquisitive expression. The dog faces forward, with large, expressive eyes that immediately draw the viewer in, conveying intelligence, sensitivity, and curiosity. One ear stands more upright while the other angles slightly outward, adding individuality and charm to the pose. The artist has skilfully rendered the Border Collie’s medium-length coat, using fine pencil strokes to show the contrast between the darker fur on the head and back and the lighter chest and muzzle. Subtle shading around the eyes and nose enhances the realism, while the softly fading edges allow the dog to emerge naturally from the white background. The portrait beautifully reflects the breed’s well-known traits of alertness, loyalty, and emotional connection with its owner.
Pencil portrait of a relaxed tabby cat resting its head and paw on a stack of books, showing detailed fur patterns, soft whiskers, and a calm expression.
This pencil drawing captures a wonderfully relaxed and expressive cat resting its head and paw on a stack of books. A charming and slightly whimsical composition. The cat’s gaze is soft and slightly sleepy, creating a lovely sense of calm and contentment. The detail in the fur is particularly well-executed, with fine pencil strokes following the natural flow of the tabby markings. The artist has masterfully rendered the textures, from the softness of the fur to the subtle shadows around the paws and books.

The tabby pattern is highly characteristic, with the familiar “M” shape on the forehead, stripes along the cheeks, and rings on the legs and tail. All common features of a classic tabby. Given the rounded face, sturdy build, and expressive features, this cat is likely a domestic shorthair, possibly with British Shorthair influence. However, as tabby markings appear across many breeds, it’s not tied to a specific pedigree.
Pencil portrait of two German Shepherds with upright ears and expressive faces, one alert and one calm, shown side by side.
Pencil drawing features two German Shepherds, each portrayed with a strong sense of character and individuality. The dogs are shown in close proximity, their heads angled slightly differently, creating a dynamic and balanced composition. One dog gazes upward with an alert, inquisitive expression, while the other looks calmly ahead, conveying confidence and composure. The artist has captured the breed’s defining features with great skill, including the upright, pointed ears, long muzzles, and intelligent eyes. The textured shading brings out the thick, dense coats, with subtle tonal variations that highlight the contours of the face and neck. Small details, such as the collars and tags, add a personal and lifelike touch. Together, the portrait reflects the German Shepherd’s loyalty, strength, and keen awareness, making it a powerful and emotive piece of artwork.
Pencil portrait of a man kissing his horse’s face, hands gently holding the muzzle, showing trust, affection, and quiet connection.
This pencil drawing captures an intimate and emotional moment between a man and his horse. The man leans in to gently kiss the horse’s face while cradling its muzzle with both hands, creating a strong sense of trust and connection. The horse’s long, elegant head fills much of the composition, emphasising its calm presence and soft expression. Fine pencil shading defines the smooth planes of the horse’s face, while subtle tonal transitions suggest the softness of its coat. The man’s patterned shirt is rendered with careful texture, contrasting with the smoothness of the horse’s features. The composition draws the viewer into the closeness of the interaction, highlighting affection, companionship, and the quiet bond shared between human and animal.

Why Choose Pencil Portraits from Photos?

A pencil portrait is a unique and personal way to capture a memory. Unlike digital images, hand-drawn pencil portraits have character, charm, and emotion. I use high-quality artist pencils on professional-grade paper to ensure every detail stands out.

Each drawing highlights the subject’s personality, making it a one-of-a-kind piece of art. My pencil portraits make perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, or just a treat for yourself.

  • 100% Hand-Drawn Artwork: No filters, no AI, no digital shortcuts
  • Lifelike Detail & Realism: Carefully shaded for depth and expression
  • Personalised Service: I work directly with you at every stage
  • Worldwide Delivery: Secure shipping to the UK and internationally
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: Birthdays, Christmas, weddings, memorials, and more

Follow My Work

Want to see more pencil portraits? Visit my Instagram page to view a growing gallery of pencil portraits and get inspired for your own custom pencil portraits drawings.