these are my tests, using a canon 5dM11, a tripod, an 8 second exposure and two different types of light, a light pen and a torch .. any will do and an iPhone is very good and an acute profoto flash to capture the portrait. After a few mishaps I realized to avoid the blur of the subject being picked up, the flash should be added in the final second of the exposure. The main objective was to give the subject long enough to draw something but also to capture the environment rather than a black space. 
Soon after I was commissioned to photograph the lovely Dinos Chapman (who has just released his debut album: Here comes the Luftbobler) who was happy to collaborate in my portrait of him and although the studio wasn't ideal with what I was hoping to create... his contribution made up for the lack of background. As always its a long shot if someone will humor some kooky photo idea. 
