Studio Practice: Kelly McGillis Portrait Study

Just wrapped up this graphite portrait of Kelly McGillis from Top Gun. There’s something about her expression in that film – this perfect balance of strength and softness – that I wanted to capture on paper.

This was pure drawing practice, working through the challenges of getting likeness right. Those eyes took forever, but that’s where so much of the character lives. I find myself drawn to faces that have this depth to them, where you can sense there’s a whole story behind the expression.

The real game-changer for this piece was my Conte Pencil 1710-2B Soft Black Pencil. I’m absolutely loving its creamy texture and those dark, rich black tones it produces. The way it blends so beautifully made all the difference in capturing those subtle shadows and soft transitions around her features.

Part of my regular studio practice is working from references that genuinely interest me, rather than just technical exercises. When you’re actually curious about capturing someone, the whole process feels different.