Essence: discovering the art of the portrait by Chris Petrocchi

This book features beautiful charcoal portraiture with step by step instructions and detailed notes on process. Personal stories and impressions are included about the people I met as well as obstacles I encountered producing my art in China that make it a perfect blend of art, instruction and conversation starter.

When the representative of foreign affairs called me from Three Gorges University of Yichang China to offer me a teaching position I packed my bags and arrived within two weeks. I thought I would be teaching English and pursuing the love of my life. Instead, what really got a hold of me were the faces, faces of people so culturally diverse and mystifying that brought me, to my great delight, to the discovery of the art of the portrait.