Hi I’m James, an artist from Australia. Seeing a Chuck Close portrait as a teen first got me buzzing about realistic artwork. His work led me to other artists - namely those that worked with graphite - and I spent most of my teen years trying to recreate people, pets, llamas, anything, on paper with pencil. Despite winning some awards and selling some art I was too frustrated that I just wasn’t good enough and gave it up. After almost 20 years of moving between jobs and careers and not finding anything fulfilling, I’ve come back to make a proper go of being a professional artist.

Using a reference photo as a guide, I create highly detailed, realistic drawings with graphite pencil and charcoal. I particularly like creating portraits, recreating that glint in the eyes, the little half smile of the mouth, light bouncing off shiny hair. I love simple still life arrangements as well, just one or a few objects rendered as realistically as possible. I accept commissions for custom drawings, sell prints and the originals of my still life work. [**www.jamesharperart.com**](https://jamesharperart.com) [**Facebook**](https://www.facebook.com/RealisticPencil/) [**Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/jamesharperart/) **Materials** Eraldo di Paolo 225gsm Acid Free Medium Weight Drawing Paper 6H - Staedtler Mars Lumograph Mechanical Pencil - 2B - Staedtler Mars micro carbon lead 4H - Staedtler Mars Lumograph 4B - Staedtler Mars Lumograph 8B - Staedtler Mars Lumograph Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser Tombow Mono Zero - Round Tombow Mono Zero - Rectangular Mars rasor 526 61 Eraser Pencil Blending Stumps - Various Sizes Tortilliions - Small Mont Marte Filbert Taklon Paint Brush Size 2 J.Burrows Filbert Taklon Paint Brush Size 4 J.Burrows Angle Taklon Paint Brush Size 1/8 Mont Marte Filbert Taklon Paint Brush Size 2 Mont Marte Flat Wide Taklon Paint Brush 50mm

Watch as I create my drawings, from the very first pencil stroke to framing and packaging for shipping. I explain my techniques and materials as I work and you’re welcome to ask questions about any part of my process. If you commission a drawing you can check in to see how it’s progressing! It’s not just about the art though, I love having a chat about almost anything – movies, video games, how to speak Australian! I love to make people laugh and smile, drop in if you just want some positive company. **Chat Commands** **!uptime** – see how long I’ve been streaming for **!commission** – learn how to commission a drawing

As many Twitch streamers say “Never expected – always appreciated”. You can watch my stream for free as long as you want. If you do feel like throwing a couple of dollars my way it’s extremely appreciated as it helps enormously. [**Donate**](https://twitch.streamlabs.com/jamesharperart) **Top Donators** - $100.00 : Anonymous - $50.00 : spacefonts - $30.00 : Anonymous - $13.08 : CannaWhoopSass - $10.00 : TheMagicCHONCH - $10.00 : Hollybombay - $10.00 : Hollybombay - $9.83 : RIDDARI - $8.00 : CannaWhoopSass - $7.00 : CannaWhoopSass - $6.54 : DreamAlvin - $5.50 : ago2345 - $5.00 : CHONCHi - $5.00 : ago2345 - $5.00 : ago234 - $5.00 : 10itus - $5.00 : Weirdthings1did - $5.00 : Leeanne56 - $5.00 : Benixmaxiumus - $4.00 : skeve965 - $3.92 : riddari - $3.00 : Sinister147 - $2.54 : je_ttv - $2.00 : skian29 - $2.00 : skian29

**Monday to Friday** Usually 8hr streams, starting around 8am / 9am AEST.