I took part in a week-long sketching marathon where the main focus was people—drawn entirely with colored pencils. It was both a challenge and a refreshing shift from my usual tools. Colored pencils aren’t as quick or forgiving as ink or watercolor, and at first, I struggled with their slower layering process. But by the end of the week, I not only adapted—I found myself falling in love with their depth, subtlety, and storytelling potential. Each day had a different theme, and each sketch became a window into new ways of seeing people.
Btw, my recent post was about my Virtual Journey to Sibiu. If you missed it, you can find it here.
Colored pencils I used in this challenge were Faber Castel Polychromos. See my set here.
Full or Half-Full Portrait
For this prompt, I created two contrasting studies. The first is a full portrait that captures the subject’s entire upper body and wild, curly hair. I used warm brown and ochre tones to build up layers in the hair, allowing texture to define the volume. The second sketch zooms in on the expressive power of the eyes. The subject peeks over a red book, with only her hands and gaze visible, framed by a swirl of vibrant colors. This composition focuses attention on mood and mystery, showing how a cropped portrait can tell just as strong a story as a full figure.
Silhouette with or without Background
This pair of sketches explores how silhouettes alone—or paired with vivid backgrounds—can tell a story. In the first drawing, a solitary figure in a coat and boots stands against a textured, almost colorless sky. Even without detailed surroundings, the posture and heavy clothing evoke a gloomy winter day. The second sketch is the opposite: a sunlit figure in sunglasses and jeans poses in front of a wild amusement park entrance. Here, the bright colors, dramatic background, and confident pose all work together to shout “summer vacation.” Both pieces taught me how posture, framing, and color intensity shape narrative—even in the simplest silhouettes.
Different Poses
This topic encouraged me to explore a variety of body gestures, from still to dynamic. The first sketch captures a moment mid-air—a figure caught jumping with arms wide open. I focused on how to suggest motion and energy through lifted legs, loose hair, and open posture. In contrast, the second sketch shows a more elegant, fashion-inspired pose. The figure is standing with one leg bent, hand at the temple, full of attitude and grace. These exercises helped me understand how pose alone—whether frozen or moving—communicates character and mood, especially when shaped carefully with colored pencil contours.
Objects or Gestures as a Portrait
Portraits don’t always need faces. In this challenge, I explored how objects and subtle gestures can capture a person’s essence. The sketch of a tall black lamp might seem ordinary at first, but its shape, shadow, and setting quietly hint at its owner’s taste—perhaps someone elegant, minimalist, and fond of vintage charm. In the second sketch, the crossed legs in green pumps and the poised hand suggest grace and confidence. The jewelry, posture, and bright color choices form a portrait through body language alone. This topic reminded me that identity can shine through the smallest details.
Details
In this final challenge, I looked closely at the details that reveal personality—small features that might otherwise be overlooked. The first sketch captures a red-haired girl with just enough facial definition and flowing curls to suggest both confidence and individuality. Even with the body barely outlined, the fiery hair becomes her signature. In the second drawing, a man in headphones leans into his workspace, likely a gamer or music maker. His beard, posture, and gear say more about him than any full portrait might. Colored pencils allowed me to bring these personal touches to life with subtle layering and controlled strokes.
By the end of this marathon, colored pencils no longer felt slow—they felt intentional. I learned to slow down, observe more, and let color speak through small gestures, outlines, and layered moments. Sketching people this way taught me how portraiture is more than just faces. It’s posture, objects, fragments, and detail. This experience stretched my creativity, and I can now say with confidence: colored pencils have earned a new place in my sketching toolkit.
