Start with the head and basic proportions
A banker's portrait begins with the head shape and facial structure. Lightly sketch an oval or circle for the skull, then draw a vertical center line down the middle and a horizontal line across for eye placement. The horizontal line should sit roughly one-third down from the top of the head. This gives you the foundation for where the eyes, nose, and mouth will go.
Bankers are typically drawn with a formal, composed expression, so the proportions matter. The distance from the eyes to the bottom of the chin should be roughly equal to the distance from the eyes to the top of the head. Sketch light guidelines for the jawline—bankers often have a defined, squared jaw that conveys authority and trustworthiness. Don't press hard; these are construction lines you'll erase later.
Key Takeaways
- Use light construction lines to map the head shape, eye line, and jawline before adding detail.
- Bankers are typically drawn with formal clothing, so the suit jacket and tie are as important as the face itself.
- Eyes should convey confidence and composure—use shading and pupil placement to create that steady gaze.
- Hair is usually neat and conservative, so keep the style simple and well-groomed in appearance.
- Shading and texture in the suit fabric and background help separate the figure from the page and add depth.
Draw the facial features with banker-appropriate expression
Once the proportions are set, place the eyes. Bankers are drawn with a steady, confident gaze—position the pupils looking straight ahead or slightly to one side, not downward or uncertain. The eyes should be roughly one eye-width apart. Add the eyebrows above, keeping them relatively straight and level; raised or furrowed brows suggest emotion that contradicts a banker's composed demeanor.
The nose should be proportional and centered. For a banker, a straight nose works well and reads as professional. The mouth is typically a neutral line or a slight, controlled smile—not a broad grin. Bankers are drawn with restraint in expression. Add the ears on either side of the head at roughly the same height as the eyes and nose.
Add the suit jacket, shirt, and tie
The clothing is what makes a banker recognizable. Draw the shoulders broad and square, with the suit jacket sitting cleanly on top. Sketch the lapels of the jacket—they should be symmetrical and point downward toward the center of the chest. The jacket buttons run down the center front; most bankers are drawn wearing a two-button or three-button jacket.
Below the jacket, add the dress shirt collar. The collar points should frame the neck and sit neatly under the jacket lapels. Draw the tie centered on the shirt front, running from the collar down the chest. Banker ties are usually solid colors or conservative patterns—stripes or small geometric shapes work well. The tie knot should be tight and centered, conveying formality and control.
Add subtle folds and creases to the jacket and shirt to show dimension. Fabric doesn't hang flat; it has weight and movement. A few curved lines along the chest and shoulders suggest the fabric draping over the body underneath.
Render the hair in a neat, professional style
Banker hair is typically conservative and well-groomed. Sketch the hairline first, then block in the general shape—usually parted on one side or combed straight back. Avoid wild, flowing, or unkempt styles; a banker's hair should look like it was cut recently and maintained regularly.
Use short, directional strokes to suggest individual hair texture without drawing every strand. Hair has a direction of growth; follow that direction with your pencil. Add shadow under the hair where it meets the scalp and neck, which gives the hair volume and separates it from the skin. Keep the overall effect neat and controlled.
Shade the face and features to add depth
Shading brings a banker portrait to life. Start with the eye sockets—they naturally sit in shadow. Darken the area above the eye slightly to suggest the brow bone, and add a shadow under the eye to show the cheekbone. The side of the face away from your light source should be darker than the side facing the light.
Add shadow under the nose and on one side of the face to create dimension. The neck often receives shadow where it meets the jaw and where it disappears into the shirt collar. Use a blending stump or tissue to smooth pencil shading and create soft transitions between light and dark areas. Bankers are typically drawn with controlled, professional lighting—avoid harsh shadows that make them look angry or suspicious.
The eyes are the focal point. Add a small highlight in each pupil (usually in the upper left or upper right, depending on your light source) to make the eyes look alive and alert. Darken the pupil and iris, leaving the highlight untouched. This single detail transforms a flat eye into one that looks directly at the viewer.
Refine the background and add finishing details
A banker portrait often includes a simple background—a solid color, a subtle gradient, or a suggestion of an office setting. A plain background keeps the focus on the face and clothing. If you choose to add an office background, keep it minimal: a bookshelf, a window, or a wall. Don't let the background compete with the figure.
Add final details to the suit—buttons, a pocket square, or subtle texture in the fabric. Refine the tie pattern if you've chosen one. Darken the lines around the eyes, mouth, and jawline to make them crisp and defined. Step back and look at the whole drawing; a banker portrait should convey professionalism, confidence, and trustworthiness through both the face and the formal clothing.
Use ink to finalize your drawing
Once you're satisfied with the pencil work, you can ink over it for a finished look. Use a fine-tip pen or brush pen to trace the most important lines—the outline of the head, the features of the face, the edges of the suit jacket, and the tie. Ink the eyes last; they're the most important feature and deserve careful attention.
After the ink dries completely, erase the pencil lines underneath. The ink lines will remain crisp and clean. You can add ink shading with cross-hatching or stippling (tiny dots) if you want to build darker tones, or leave the shading in pencil for a softer effect. Both approaches work; it depends on the style you're aiming for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to get the proportions right on the first try?
Use light construction lines and measure as you go. Compare distances—the width of the head, the space between the eyes, the distance from eyes to chin. If something looks off, check your measurements against your guidelines before adding detail. Proportions are easier to fix in pencil than to correct after inking.
How do I make the banker look confident rather than stern or angry?
The eyes and mouth control expression. Keep the eyebrows level and slightly relaxed, not raised or furrowed. The mouth should be a neutral line or a slight, controlled smile. Avoid deep shadows that make the face look harsh. Soft, even lighting and a steady gaze convey confidence without aggression.
Should I draw the whole body or just the head and shoulders?
A head-and-shoulders portrait (called a bust) is the most common approach for banker portraits and is easier to execute well. If you want to draw the full body, extend the construction lines down through the torso and add the full suit jacket, but this requires more space and more anatomy knowledge. Start with a bust if you're new to figure drawing.
What if I make a mistake while inking?
Ink is permanent, so work carefully and let pencil layers dry before inking over them. If you make a small mistake, you can cover it with white ink or correction fluid once the ink is dry. For larger mistakes, it's often better to start fresh on a new sheet. Practice on scrap paper before inking your final drawing.
Can I use colored pencils or markers instead of just graphite and ink?
Yes. Colored pencils work well for subtle skin tones and suit colors. Markers are faster but harder to blend smoothly. If you use markers, do the detail work in pencil first and ink the outlines before adding color. Watercolor also works for banker portraits if you want a softer, more painterly effect.