Empty Pen, Full Beard: Draw a Comely Portrait with Bridget Clutten

Don't toss that dried-up ballpoint pen into the bin just yet. In this lesson (68 mins), South African artist Bridget Clutten shows us how to use it to improve our rendering of fine, elusive details like facial hair using a clever indentation technique.

This approach shifts the focus from the impossible task of drawing every individual hair to creating a physical texture that allows the light to catch the page naturally. It is a perfect example of how art-making is often about experimentation and finding joy in the messiness of the process rather than seeking a perfect result.

What You’ll Explore

• The Indentation Method: Practice using a blunt instrument to create recessed marks that remain white even after you rub graphite over them, a technique that is equally effective for beards, eyebrows, or animal fur. 
• Building the Foundation: Bridget walks through the initial mapping of the face, using basic circles and ovals to find the bone structure by "copying shapes" rather than overthinking anatomy. 

• Managing Values: Discover how to block in shadows with 4B and 6B pencils to create contrast and bring the features to life. 
• The Frottage Finish: To round out the composition, Bridget introduces a frotage technique—using a stencil and a solid graphite stick to create a textured, patterned background that balances the detailed portrait. 

Ready to brush up on beard drawing? Let's get started!