Erase the Dark: Create a Dramatic Graphite Portrait with Sena Adjovi

In today's lesson (94 mins), artist Sena Adjovi invites you to explore the mystery of a face half-obscured by shadow.

Working from a dramatic reference, Sena shows how to render the face with emotion and precision, not by drawing every detail, but by observing light and letting the shadows do the storytelling.

You’ll learn how to use contrast, careful observation, and erasing to “draw” with light as much as with line. Sena guides you through building the structure of the face by focusing on the abstract shapes of light and shadow, rather than relying on predefined notions of features.

You’ll also explore how to suggest texture and gesture—like the sweep of a beard or the glow of skin—without overworking the surface. Sena’s approach is intuitive, expressive, and eye-opening, especially for those accustomed to more linear methods.

Students have called this lesson emotional, freeing, and unexpectedly fun. Many found themselves stepping outside their comfort zones—working with darker values than usual, experimenting with charcoal, pastels, or toned paper—and loving the results.

Whether you’re here to deepen your understanding of value, embrace a looser, more expressive style, or just enjoy the meditative pull of shadow and light, this lesson offers a truly captivating experience.

Ready to erase the dark with Sena? Let's get started!