Daily Sketches

In 2026, feeling stuck with my progress with drawing and painting, I set myself a simple rule: one portrait a day. Here they are in chronological order: the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young woman in 3/4 view, looking to the side with a strong frown and furrowed eyebrows. Hair is pulled back, with loose strands near the ear. Soft shading on the cheek and neck, and she wears a choker with a small heart pendant.

Graphite drawing of an older man wearing a tall top hat. His face looks tired and serious, with deep wrinkles and heavy shadows. The background is softly shaded in gray.

Graphite portrait of a woman in three-quarter view, looking to the left. She has long dark hair, winged eyeliner, and a small hoop earring. Soft shading defines the cheekbones and neck.

Graphite portrait drawing of a man looking straight at you, wearing a wide cap and a thick turtleneck. He has big dark eyes, a long nose, and a curled mustache, with soft shading around the cheeks and hat.

Graphite pencil portrait sketch of a woman facing forward, with hair pulled back and a strong shadow covering the right side of the face and neck.

Graphite sketch portrait of a man with a thick mustache, looking sideways with intense eyes. He wears a suit jacket, patterned shirt, and dark tie, with loose construction lines and shading around the jaw and cheeks.

A small graphite portrait sketch of a young woman with dark hair, looking to the side with a calm, serious face. Soft shading on the cheeks and under the chin, and the hair is drawn in broad dark tones.

Graphite portrait sketch of a bald man with a serious, tired expression, looking slightly to the side. Strong shadows define the cheekbones, nose, and jaw, with a dark turtleneck and a jacket collar.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young woman in three-quarter view, looking to the left. Her hair is parted and tied back in a low ponytail, with soft shading on the face, neck, and shoulder.

Graphite pencil portrait sketch of a young man in three quarter view, looking sideways with a sharp eyebrow and calm expression. Dark shaded hair swept back, strong jawline, and a shaded shirt.

Graphite portrait sketch of a man facing forward. Short dark hair, tired eyes, and strong shadow shapes around the nose and cheekbones. Neck is loosely indicated with light lines.

Graphite sketch of a woman’s head in 3/4 view. Hair is pulled back with a middle part, big eyes looking forward, and dark shaded lips. Soft shading on the cheek and jaw.

Pencil portrait sketch of a young man in 3/4 view, looking slightly to the right. He has short curly hair, strong cheekbones, and full lips. The face is shaded with soft graphite tones and crosshatching, and there is a loose outline of a shirt collar.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young woman in three-quarter view, looking slightly to the left. She has thick eyebrows, calm eyes, and full lips, with strong shading under the cheekbone and neck. Her curly hair is tied back with loose strands on the side.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young man in three-quarter view, looking to the side. He has thick wavy hair, strong eyebrows, and soft shading on the cheek and neck, with a simple collared shirt and light hatching in the background.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young woman in 3/4 view, looking to the right. Her hair is parted in the middle and pulled back, with loose strands near the neck. Soft shading builds the cheek and nose, with a darker shadow covering the right side of her face and eye.

Pencil portrait drawing of a young woman with long wavy hair, looking slightly to the side. Soft shading defines the cheekbones, nose, and lips, with darker shadows under the chin and around the hair.

The woman from the first portrait holds up a sketchbook with her graphite portrait, smiling under soft pink light.

Graphite portrait sketch of a woman looking straight at the viewer. She has dark hair pulled back with some loose strands, and sunglasses resting on top of her head. One hand supports her cheek, and she wears a small earring and a simple shirt, with soft shading around the eyes and neck.

A graphite portrait sketch of a young man with wavy medium length hair. The head is slightly tilted, with a calm but tired expression and heavy shadow around the eyes and nose. Loose pencil lines shape the curls, and the shirt is filled with quick diagonal strokes.

A graphite portrait sketch of a young woman looking to the side with a serious expression. Her hair and dress are shaded with the same dense pencil strokes, creating a dark shape that frames her face. The face is lighter with defined eyebrows, eyes, and lips, with a few soft smudges on the paper.

Graphite portrait sketch of a man with short dark hair and a serious, slightly annoyed expression. He is looking to the side, with strong shadows around the eyes and nose, and a coat collar framing the neck.

Graphite portrait sketch of a woman in three-quarter view, looking to the side with a calm, serious expression. Her dark hair is tied in a messy bun, and she wears a high collar coat with a button. Soft shading on the cheekbones and neck, with loose pencil strokes around the hair.

Graphite portrait sketch of a man facing forward, with big curly hair and thick eyebrows. Soft shading on the cheeks and neck, and a calm, serious expression. Loose sketch lines around the hair and shoulders.

Pencil portrait sketch of a woman turning her head over her shoulder. Her hair is pulled back and the face has strong shading on the eyes, nose, and lips, with the shoulder left more loose and unfinished.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young woman facing forward, wearing a soft beret-like hat. Short hair falls over one eye, with big focused eyes and dark shading around the nose and lips. Strong light and shadow split the face, and a simple jacket collar is suggested.

Graphite portrait sketch of a bald man looking slightly up and to the side, with strong shadow on the right side of the face and neck. Soft shading and loose shoulders.

Graphite portrait sketch of a woman in a beanie, three-quarter view with her head slightly tilted up, eyes looking off to the side, and soft shading defining the nose, lips, and cheek.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young man in three-quarter view, with slicked-back hair, strong nose and brow, and soft shading across the face and neck on textured paper.

Graphite portrait sketch of a young woman, front view, with dark shoulder-length hair and bangs, a furrowed brow, and a serious expression. Strong shadowing around the eyes and cheeks with loose, sketchy clothing lines

Graphite portrait sketch of a bald man in three-quarter view, looking slightly to the side, with strong shadow shapes across the face and loose, expressive shading on a plain background.