Finished Work - Charcoal and Graphite On Paper

Hello Steemains!

I finally finished this amazing and enlightening piece of mine which I have been working on since the last two weeks. I learned and discovered a lot while working on this piece.

Last time, I wrote about how I started accepting the fact that I am a learner which allowed me to explore new techniques and discover the hidden secrets in art.

I used a charcoal pencil to do this by drawing with as my major tool. This technique is what I haven't done before nor watch another artist do. I can boldly say it is my first time using a charcoal pencil to start and finish work with just a little graphite on it.

Having left my tools behind, I had no other option than to get another - they were entirely different from my usual - so I prepared my mind for the challenge.

Here are my development processes

Step 1:

I sketched out my model: I used a freehand method to sketch my model. In this drawing, I tried to use hard strokes to make my outline sketching. I don't know what came over me - Probably because of the new tools bought - I just felt a new me.

I observed very carefully before I proceeded to the next phase. However, there is no guarantee that the work is absolutely error-free.

Step 2

Building my forms: At this stage, I focused on his eyes and forehead. With my latest soft charcoal pencil, I went all out to lay dark tones. I started with charcoal (dark tones) because other pencils (5b and 6b) I bought were not giving the taste and feel I wanted. This really made me saw art in a different way.

Step 3

Nose, chins, and mouth: At this stage, I worked on his nose, chins, and mouth with charcoal pencil. I later used a 6B pencil to overlay on the first layer. I also added 5b on some portions of the highlights.

However, in the process of completing this work, I discovered an error in the mouth. The mouth was bending a little unlike the one in the reference photo. Then, I did the correction.

Step 4

Jaws, lower lip and neck: This stage didn't take me much time cause I have already gotten the resemblance. Only the lower lip gave me a knot to crack.

Step 5

I blended lightly with soft flat brush

Step 6

The shirt and background: The shirt was light so I opted to shade the background a little in order to complement each other.

Step 7

Framed: Here is how the work looks after framing.

Thank you.