Is Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!) worth it if you’re shopping in Photography?
Most drawing tutorials leave you staring at a finished piece, wondering how the artist got from a blank sheet to that final render. You see the result, but the messy middle—the moment where you decide which lines stay and which ones go, or how to handle the tricky transition from shadow to highlight—gets edited out. If you’ve been stuck in the “block-in” phase for months, or if you keep redrawing the same face because you don’t know how to handle light on skin, this is the gap you’re trying to fill. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
Chris Hong’s Pencil Portrait Drawing Class isn’t just a highlight reel; it’s the full, uncut process. You get roughly two hours of HD video content that breaks down the entire workflow, from selecting the right reference photo to the final atmospheric touches. It’s a structured way to learn how to think about a portrait, not just how to copy one.
Quick answer
| Best for | Artists who want to move past basic sketching and understand the specific logic behind shading, line weight, and light handling in portraits. |
| Skip if | You’re looking for a digital painting course, a watercolor technique guide, or a quick 10-minute tip sheet. This is a deep-dive into traditional pencil work. |
| Price | $30 |
| Format | Downloadable HD video lessons + 1 hour of raw, unedited drawing footage. |
| One-line take | A rare “watch me think” resource that pairs instructional lessons with a full, silent demo of a portrait from start to finish. |
What you’re actually buying
At $30, you’re not just buying a video file; you’re buying a roadmap for the entire portrait creation process. The class is split into two distinct parts that work together to solve different problems. The first hour is the “why” and “how”—a guided lesson that walks you through the specific techniques Chris uses. You’ll see how he approaches finding the right photo references, which is often the most overlooked step in portrait art. A bad reference leads to a bad drawing, and this section saves you from guessing which angles and lighting conditions actually work for pencil work.
The second half of the class is where this product really differentiates itself from standard online courses. You get an hour of raw, real-time portrait drawing with no voiceover. This isn’t a sped-up montage; it’s the actual, unedited process of building up a drawing. Watching this silent demo allows you to study the rhythm of the artist’s hand—how long he spends on a single shade, when he steps back to evaluate the whole composition, and how he decides to “spilled light” or add atmospheric shadows. It’s the difference between being told to “add more detail” and actually seeing the decision-making process in real-time. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
The structure is logical and covers the full spectrum of the work. You start with the basics of shapes and block-ins, then move into the more nuanced techniques like building up the drawing and losing unnecessary lines. By the time you reach the student project and closing thoughts, you’ve seen the entire lifecycle of the piece. It’s a complete system, not a collection of random tips.
Why it’s on our radar
This class stands out because it respects the viewer’s time and intelligence. Most art courses on platforms like Skillshare are designed to be consumed in short, bite-sized chunks, which can sometimes fragment the learning process. By making the full class available as a downloadable HD video, Chris Hong offers a way to learn at your own pace, pausing and rewinding the complex shading sections as many times as you need. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
The inclusion of the raw footage is a significant value-add. It’s rare for artists to share the “ugly” middle stages of their work, where the drawing looks messy and incomplete. Seeing that stage is crucial for beginners who often quit because their work doesn’t look like the final result. This downloadable lesson pack gives you the confidence to push through the messy phases because you’ve seen that it’s a normal part of the process.
What actually matters
Before you buy, consider your current skill level and your specific pain points. This class is specifically for pencil portraits. If you work primarily in digital or oil, the techniques for blending and erasing won’t translate directly, though the compositional logic might still help. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
Check your reference library. The class includes a dedicated lesson on finding photo refs, and Chris even links to a Pinterest board of reference photos for portraits. If you’re struggling with finding good references, this is a huge part of the value. If you already have a robust library of high-quality portraits, you might get less value from that specific section, but the shading and line techniques will still apply.
Finally, think about how you learn. If you need verbal instruction and step-by-step guidance, the first hour of lessons is for you. If you’re a visual learner who prefers to watch and mimic, the second hour of raw footage is your primary resource. The combination of both makes this a versatile tool for different learning styles. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
Mid-check
If you’re ready to commit to improving your portrait skills, the full class is available for download. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
FAQ
Is this class suitable for complete beginners? Yes, the class starts with the fundamentals of shapes and block-ins. However, if you’ve never held a pencil for drawing, you might want to start with a very basic “how to draw” course first. This class assumes you can make basic marks and understand basic perspective. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
Do I need specific materials to follow along? The class covers the materials Chris uses, which are standard for pencil drawing (graphite pencils, erasers, paper). You don’t need to buy the exact same pencils, but having a range of hardness levels (from hard to soft) will help you follow the shading techniques. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
Can I watch this on mobile? Yes, the videos are downloadable HD files, so you can watch them on any device that plays video files. This is actually a benefit over streaming platforms, as you can watch on a tablet or phone without needing a stable internet connection. (Pencil Portrait Drawing Class (From Skillshare!))
Bottom line
If you’re tired of tutorials that show you the final result but leave you guessing about the process, this class is a solid investment. It’s specific, it’s detailed, and it includes the kind of raw, unedited footage that is rarely available. For $30, you get a complete system for creating pencil portraits, from reference selection to final touches.