"Drawing is where I learn how to slow down enough to actually see someone.”

Working in charcoal, pen and ink, and graphite is central to Hixson’s development as both a portrait artist. These materials require sustained observation, patience, and an attunement to subtle shifts in posture, expression, and emotional presence. Through repeated engagement with the human figure, Hixson studies not only anatomical structure but the psychological weight carried in the body, how tension, vulnerability, and resilience manifest physically. Charcoal encourages intuitive responses to form and gesture, graphite refines sensitivity to nuance and proportion, and pen and ink demands clarity and commitment through irreversible mark-making. This rigorous drawing practice sharpens Hixson’s ability to see individuals fully and without judgment, a skill that directly informs his approach to portraiture and mirrors the core principles of therapeutic work: deep listening, presence, and respect for the complexity of the human experience.

A pencil sketch of two human figures, one on the left appearing hunched over with hands on face, and the other on the right standing upright with one arm raised above the head, set against a textured background.
A black and white sketch of a woman sitting on a stool, with one arm amputated and having a robotic arm, her hair styled short, and her body partially exposed.
Several quick, rough sketches of human figures in various poses, including lying, sitting, standing, and stretching, drawn in black on paper.
A detailed pencil sketch of a muscular man with curly hair, standing in a relaxed pose, holding a small object in his left hand while looking at it, with a shadowed background.
A pencil drawing of a woman’s bust showing her head and neck, mounted on a rectangular pedestal.
A black and white drawing of a person lying on their side on a bed, resting their head on a pillow with one arm tucked beneath it. The person appears to be sleeping or resting, with their eyes closed. There is a large piece of furniture, possibly a r
Black and white pencil drawing of a smiling man with short hair, drawn on graph paper with some drawing tools and a magazine in the bottom right corner.
A pencil sketch of a large hand reaching out, with a smaller figure of a person standing in the background.
Black and white sketch of a person sitting on a stool with their back turned, legs crossed, surrounded by books.
A black and white pencil sketch of a young man with a serious expression, shirtless, with defined muscles and short hair, standing against a textured background.
A sketch of a person lying on a hospital bed receiving an examination from a nurse, with another person sitting next to them.
A side profile sketch of a person's face with detailed shading and highlights, drawn with pastel or chalk on a textured background.
A rough sketch of two human figures, one standing on the left and the other sitting or reclining on the right, with minimal details.
Sketch of five different women in various poses, some standing, some sitting, with loose, gestural lines and minimal details.
Sketches of human figures in various poses, drawn with loose, expressive lines.
Black and white sketch of a muscular male figure with a human face, standing with one hand on his hip and the other holding a long stick.
A black-and-white sketch of a person lying face down on a surface, with arms extended outward and head resting on forearms.
A sketch of a person standing with their back turned, holding an object in their left hand, with shading and rough lines.
A black and white sketch of a woman standing in profile, with her right hand touching her hair, dressed in a striped outfit.
Black and white sketch of a person sitting on a tall chair, reading a large book, with their face obscured by sunglasses and hairstyle.
A pencil sketch of a standing female figure holding a long object, possibly a rod or stick, with her arm raised over her head, drawn in a loose, expressive style.
Sketches of four human figures in various poses, drawn with loose, gestural lines.
Quick pencil sketches of human figures in various poses.
Sketch of multiple figure drawings in different poses, some with circles indicating heads and lines for limbs, in a practice or gesture drawing style.
Sketches of various human figures and forms, including some with exaggerated or abstract features, drawn with simple lines.
Sketch of multiple human figures in various poses, drawn with loose, quick lines, some holding or interacting with circular objects.
Black and white sketch of a woman sitting on a bench, turned to the side with legs crossed, wearing a jacket and pants, with short hair.
A monochrome drawing of a human skeleton lying down with one hand on its skull, sitting on the ground against a dark background.
Sketch of a woman sitting at a desk, working on a laptop, with her head slightly tilted downward and hair covering part of her face.
Sketch of a woman's face with detailed features, long hair, and a serious expression, drawn with bold, dark lines.
A messy, abstract drawing of multiple faces and facial features, including eyes, noses, mouths, and lips, sketched with quick, overlapping lines.