Custom Color Pencil Portrait from Photo | Artist in Delhi

Turn your favorite photograph into a luminous, hand-drawn color pencil portrait. Drawn by Delhi artist Deepak Kumar Shakya using lightfast oil and wax-based artist pencils on heavy archival paper.

₹2,400 | US ₹2,40000 Starting Price (A4)
4–7 Days Drawing Time
Free All-India Courier
Color pencil portrait of a couple, drawn by Deepak's Art

Handmade couple portrait drawn with colored pencils on heavy paper.

What Makes Color Pencil Art Unique?

Unlike monochrome graphite or charcoal drawings that focus only on light and shadow, colored pencil portraits bring human skin to life with warmth and natural color. Real skin is never a single flat tone. It contains undertones of peach, soft yellow, burnt sienna, and subtle violet reflections.

Achieving this depth requires slow layering. Up to fifteen delicate coats of pencil pigment are applied with varying pressure. Using a technique called burnishing, the pigments blend directly on the paper fibers, creating a rich texture that looks smooth and lifelike.

Every artwork made at Deepak's Art is drawn 100% by hand in our Delhi studio. We do not use digital tracing, photo painting software, or canvas prints. What you receive is an authentic, original piece of art created with real pencils on archival paper.

Materials Selected for Longevity

A portrait should last for decades without fading or turning yellow.

Faber-Castell Polychromos

Oil-based colored pencils from Germany known for high break resistance and superior lightfast ratings. The pigments hold their rich hue without waxy bloom or flaking over time.

Prismacolor Premier

Soft core, wax-based pencils used for creamy skin blending, deep shadow transitions, and fine color gradients that give portraits a soft, lifelike portraiture finish.

250–300 GSM Archival Paper

Heavyweight, acid-free hot-pressed art paper (Strathmore and Fabriano). The thick fibers absorb heavy pencil pressure and burnishing without buckling or tearing.

Protective Fixative Coating

Once the drawing is finished, an archival matte sealant is lightly applied. This protects the delicate colored pigments from moisture, smudging, and ultraviolet light.

Color Pencil Portrait Pricing in India

Official rate card. All prices include artist pencils, 300 GSM paper, and free delivery across India.

A4 Color Pencil

8.3 × 11.7 in (Single Face)
Starts at
₹2,400 | US $100
MOST POPULAR

A3 Color Pencil

11.7 × 16.5 in (Single / Couple)
Starts at
₹3,800 | US $160

A2 Color Pencil

16.5 × 23.4 in (Vibrant Statement)
Starts at
₹6,800 | US $230
Size Dimensions Single Face Couple (2 Faces) Timeline
A4 8.3 × 11.7 in (21 × 30 cm) ₹2,400 | US $100 ₹3,400 | US $140 4–6 Days
A3 11.7 × 16.5 in (30 × 42 cm) ₹3,800 | US $160 ₹4,800 | US $200 5–7 Days
A2 16.5 × 23.4 in (42 × 60 cm) ₹6,800 | US $230 ₹7,800 | US $270 7–10 Days
2 × 3 ft 24 × 36 in (Large Canvas/Sheet) ₹14,000 | US $450 ₹18,000 | US $550 10–14 Days

*India pricing shown in ₹ INR • International starting pricing shown in US $ (includes export packing & international express handling).

International Orders: For clients in the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe, colored pencil portrait prices start at $100 USD (A4). We ship worldwide with protective packaging via DHL/FedEx. You can use our international order form to pay via PayPal or cards.

Color Pencil vs Graphite vs Charcoal

How colored pencil art compares to other traditional mediums.

Characteristic Color Pencil Pencil Sketch Charcoal Portrait
Color Palette Full Realistic Color Monochrome (Grey) Deep Velvet Black
Visual Mood Warm, lifelike, vibrant Classic, fine-line, subtle Dramatic, high-contrast
Starting Price ₹2,400 ₹1,600 ₹2,000
Drawing Technique Multi-layer burnishing Cross-hatching & shading Blending powder & stump
Best Suited For Weddings, kids, colorful gifts Formal portraits, realism Expressive elders, memorials

How Your Portrait Is Commissioned

1

Share Your Photo

Upload your reference photograph through our order form or send it directly on WhatsApp. We check lighting, focus, and advise the best paper size.

2

Pencil Outline & Composition

Deepak lays down accurate anatomical outlines on 300 GSM paper to lock in facial proportions, eyes, and expressions before adding any colored pigments.

3

Color Layering & Burnishing

Skin undertones, hair highlights, clothing textures, and shadows are rendered across 10–15 layers using Faber-Castell Polychromos and Prismacolor pencils.

4

Preview & Safe Delivery

We share a high-resolution photo/video preview for your review. After approval, the drawing is sealed with fixative, packed in rigid moisture-proof casing, and dispatched with tracking.

How to Care for a Colored Pencil Portrait

To ensure your portrait stays vivid for generations, follow these basic framing principles:

  • Use a Mount Board (Passe-partout): Ensure a mat border separates the drawing from the glass. This prevents wax or oil transfer caused by condensation.
  • UV-Protective Glass: Standard clear glass is good, but UV-filter acrylic or glass is recommended if hanging near natural light sources.
  • Avoid Direct Sun & Dampness: Hang your framed artwork on dry interior walls away from direct, harsh afternoon sunlight and damp bathroom vicinity.

Need custom framing included? We offer sturdy protective frames delivered right to your doorstep across India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before ordering a color pencil drawing.

What is a color pencil portrait and how is it drawn? +
A color pencil portrait is a fine-art drawing made entirely by hand using professional artist-grade oil and wax-based colored pencils. Layers of pigment are built up gradually on heavyweight archival paper to achieve realistic human skin tones, natural hair highlights, and accurate eye reflections without digital printing or filters.
Which pencil brands and paper do you use? +
Deepak uses lightfast artist-grade pencils including Faber-Castell Polychromos and Prismacolor Premier on 250-300 gsm acid-free, heavy archival paper (such as Strathmore and Fabriano). This combination resists discoloration and fading over time.
How much does a custom color pencil portrait cost in India? +
Color pencil portrait pricing starts at ₹2,400 for an A4 single-face drawing. A3 size starts at ₹3,800, and A2 size starts at ₹6,800. Couple portraits start at ₹3,400 for A4 and ₹4,800 for A3. Free all-India shipping is included with every order.
How long does a color pencil portrait take to complete? +
Because colored pencil artwork requires meticulous burnishing and multiple color glazes, drawing an A4 or A3 portrait takes 4 to 7 working days. Domestic delivery takes an additional 3 to 6 days. Express turnaround is available upon request.
Will a colored pencil portrait fade over decades? +
No. By using high lightfastness rated pencils and applying an archival protective fixative coating, the pigments remain stable. When framed under glass with a mount board away from direct harsh sunlight, your portrait will retain its vibrancy for decades.
How do I order a color pencil portrait from my photo? +
You can place your order online through our secure order form at https://us.deepaksart.in/order/form.php or send your photo on WhatsApp to +91 9810543028. After discussing size and composition, a 50% advance secures your slot, and work begins.

Ready to Turn Your Photo into a Realistic Color Drawing?

Submit your reference photo online or get in touch via WhatsApp. Deepak will review the clarity, recommend the right size, and start creating your custom colored pencil portrait.

Order Online Form WhatsApp Inquiry

Free shipping across India • Studio in West Patel Nagar, New Delhi