Graphite Horse Drawing Timelapse | Faber‑Castell on Stonehenge White with Blending & Highlights

If you love equine art or traditional pencil techniques, this graphite horse drawing timelapse offers a clear look at my full process—from the first light sketch to polished highlights. In this short video, I use Faber‑Castell graphite pencils in various grades on Stonehenge White paper, working through multiple stages of blending with a stump, lift‑outs with a putty rubber, and controlled highlights to achieve realism and depth.

Why Stonehenge White for a Graphite Horse Drawing?

Stonehenge White is an excellent surface for graphite: it has a fine, consistent tooth that grips graphite layers without breaking down, allowing for smooth gradients and subtle textures—ideal for the satin sheen of a horse’s coat and the crisp detail around the eye and bridle. Its durability also supports repeated blending, erasing, and burnishing without scarring the surface.

Materials & Setup

Pencils: Faber‑Castell graphite (various tones/grades)
Paper: Stonehenge White
Tools: Blending stump (tortillon), putty rubber (kneaded eraser), precision eraser, soft brush for graphite dust control

These tools help balance deep values with clean highlights, especially important in a graphite horse drawing where form and light define

The Process: Step‑by‑Step

2) Establishing Values

Using mid grades first (e.g., HB–2B), I block in the primary shadows to define planes—cheek, neck, and muzzle. This early value map guides contrast and prevents over‑darkening too soon.

3) Layering & Blending

With successive layers (2B–4B, and deeper where needed), I build tone gradually, then blend with a stump to unify transitions. I avoid over‑blending to keep the natural texture that suggests hair direction and muscle form.

Tip: Blend with the form (curve around the muzzle, follow the cheek) to keep volume believable.

4) Putty Rubber for Lift‑Out Highlights

The putty rubber (kneaded eraser) is essential for controlled highlights—lifting graphite to reveal the shine on the eye, the soft catchlight on the nostril, and subtle light along the muzzle ridge. I also shape it into a sharp edge to pull strands of mane for natural texture.

5) Refinement & Edge Control

I reinforce the darkest accents (4B–6B where appropriate) at the eyes, nostril, and key shadow edges. Then, I refine lost‑and‑found edges to suggest depth and soft focus where needed. Selective sharpness around the focal point draws attention to the horse’s expression.

6) Final Highlights & Finish

I revisit highlights for balance, ensuring the graphite horse drawing maintains a strong value range without flattening. A soft brush lifts any loose graphite dust to keep whites clean.

Watch the Timelapse

See the entire process in a concise clip—from sketch to refined finish—showcasing how blending, lift‑outs, and layering create lifelike realism.

[timelapse video here]

Commission an Equine Portrait

If you love this graphite horse drawing, I’d be honoured to create a custom portrait of your horse.
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