From the Painting Guide: The artist has managed to put a lot of atmosphere and feeling into this portrait, which is commendable, but I find it somewhat sad that this was done from a photo when a pencil sketch cries out to be done from life. In order to build up your ability as an artist you want to take the risk of drawing live subjects who move, react to the environment and the artist. If you feel too awkward getting friends and family to pose formally, what about drawing them when they're watching television? Or if this is far too intimidating, how about trying to draw someone on television, such as a newsreader who sits fairly still?