Draw a Reflective Pen Portrait with Tiffany S. DaVanzo

In this playful and skill-building portrait session (51 mins), certified medical illustrator Tiffany S. DaVanzo  invites you to create a bold and expressive ballpoint pen drawing.

Using simple black ballpoint pens—like BIC or PaperMate—and layering in vibrant color with colored pens, Tiffany walks you through her relaxed, forgiving approach to pen-and-ink portraiture, with a focus on capturing character and texture over perfection.

You’ll begin with a light pencil underdrawing to help place your subject's reflective sunglasses, then ink your way through his facial structure, expressive forehead lines, and iconic beard.

Tiffany demonstrates how to use toned paper to your advantage, where you can skip midtones and let white gel or brush pens pop the highlights.

In a fun twist, she switches references mid-drawing to bring vivid color to Rick’s glasses—suggesting a reflective sunset and adding a whole new layer of personality.

Along the way, Tiffany offers anatomy tips, honest commentary on the quirks of pen drawing (ink globs and all), and the freedom to experiment.

Ready to draw a reflective pen portrait with Tiffany? Let's get started!