COMING SOON!  COMING SOON!  COMING SOON!

COMING SOON!

 JOIN THE COURSE WAITING LIST...

I’m opening the doors very soon to my brand-new course PlayingWithPencil: The Portrait Sketching Masterclass, and yes, the waiting list gets a special early-bird discount. Because being early should always come with perks 😉

This course is inspired by the simple joy of sketching real people in real moments. The kind of sketching where you sit down with a pencil, observe someone across from you, and bring their portrait to life on paper.

It will help you build confidence in portrait sketching from the very first lines. You’ll learn a clear process for constructing faces and understanding proportions.

 ✨ Join the waiting list below to receive an exclusive discount and be the first to know when enrollment opens.

🔒 By providing your information, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

  JOIN THE COURSE WAITING LIST  

I’m opening the doors very soon to my brand-new course PlayingWithPencil: The Portrait Sketching Masterclass, and yes, the waiting list gets a special early-bird discount. Because being early should always come with perks 😉

This course is inspired by the simple joy of sketching real people in real moments. The kind of sketching where you sit down with a pencil, observe someone across from you, and bring their portrait to life on paper.

It will help you build confidence in portrait sketching from the very first lines. You’ll learn a clear process for constructing faces and understanding proportions.

 ✨ Join the waiting list below to receive an exclusive discount and be the first to know when enrollment opens.

🔒 By providing your information, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

What You’ll Learn in This Course

✏️ The Secrets of Portrait Sketching

Discover the techniques I use to create accurate, expressive sketches every time.

👀 Capture Likeness

Learn how to see and translate the unique features of any face onto paper.

✏️ Build Faces with Confidence

Learn an easy way to sketch heads and get the proportions right.

 Hi, I'm Jeff Lai,

I'm the artist behind @PlayingWithPencil. Three years ago, on a flight to Tokyo, I sketched a stewardess just to brighten her day, and her reaction changed everything. That simple act of sharing a portrait went viral online, reaching millions, and it reminded me how small gestures can make a big difference.

Since then, I’ve been quietly sketching strangers in public: in cafés, on the MRT, and on the streets, capturing their expressions and personalities. Each sketch is a little story, and a moment of connection.

 Now, I want to share the techniques, tips, and mindset with you that allow me to sketch confidently anywhere, so you can create portraits that are expressive, personal, and alive.

Join the waiting List