Pencil drawing tutorial - my pencil portrait of Jason Momoa

Hello, amazing friends of this community, and I hope you all are doing very well. It’s always a great feeling to share my creative journey here on Steemit, where art connects us beyond borders and languages. Today, I want to share one of my pencil artworks with you all. As an artist, I’ve always been fascinated by portraits that tell silent stories, faces that speak without words and Today, I want to share the creative process behind my recent pencil drawing, which is a pencil portrait of Jason Momoa, an actor known for his bold personality, natural charisma, and powerful presence. Capturing his expression on paper was not only an artistic challenge but also a rewarding experience that taught me patience, observation, and the beauty of fine detail. Here's how I made this drawing.

Drawing items

• A4 paper

• graphite pencil

• mechanical pencil

• HB pencil

• 6B and 8B pencils

• black pen

• eraser

• sharpener

Step 1

Before I began, I spent time studying Jason Momoa’s features — his intense eyes, rugged beard, and wild hair that almost mirrors his free-spirited nature. Then I started with soft, light lines, focusing mainly on the shape of his head and placement of the facial features. I began with his eyes and nose.

Step 2

Next I focused on the lips and beard. For the beard, I applied a darker shade to give it thickness and texture. I used layering, gradually adding darker tones over lighter ones, until the beard looked realistic and full of life, and I also shaded the face as well using my graphite pencil to give it a realistic form.

Step 3

Next was the hair. His long, flowing hair is one of the most recognisable parts of his image. I wanted it to look natural and full of motion, so I worked with layered strokes, drawing each strand with direction and rhythm. I used varying pencil pressures to separate light from dark areas, giving it texture and volume. The process was slow, but seeing the hair take form was incredibly satisfying.

Step 4

Next I drew the shadows around the jawline and cheeks, which helped define the structure of the face. The more I shaded, the more his bold personality began to emerge from the paper. I also added details like the beads in his hair, which gave the portrait a personal touch — something unique that reflects his individuality.

Step 5

Once all the main features were refined, I focused on blending the tones across the face, using smooth gradients to highlight areas of light and shadow. Finally, I cleaned up any smudges, deepened the darker areas, and added small details. Then my drawing is now complete.

A selfie of me and my drawing

Drawing Jason Momoa was more than just an artistic exercise — it was an exploration of strength, emotion, and character. Through this process, I learnt to appreciate how much beauty lies in detail and patience. Thank you to all my friends in the Steemit family for always supporting and inspiring creativity. Until next time, keep your pencils sharp and your imagination even sharper! ✏️

Inviting

@arjinarahman

@rumanaafroz

@caringmanasseh

@jasimuddin0

@us-andrew

Have a blessed day.