Reference picture

As far as pencils go: I usually use a H or F pencil for basic sketching and then start building my tones using F, thru 2B pecils for the darker areas. I personally use charcoal for all my shadow areas. Before I start a drawing I kind of do a preliminary observation and pick my pencils that I'm going to use.

Hope this helps!

Overall, Great job! cute kid! Looks like a real tiger!!

Peace

Marc Forest.
http://www.marcforest.com

I like your drawing, did you use a graph?
I have just recently started to use a graph, and the help it's given me with perspectives is amazing.

Btw, You will love JD's book, it's exellent!

- Melissa (aka: Honey Bee)

Thanks again,
Christine

I'm making this comment mostly to see what everyone else might think. I have JD Hillberry's book, it fantasic. I also bought another book. It talks about the way we draw. Making a line because there is a line to make not because it makes an eye. I have a problem with rounding faces too much, because I think that's the way should be. After trying some of the things in this book I began to draw closer to the reallity of my subject. It seems we draw from the right side our brain and our left side wants to argue that a face should look a certain way not like it really is.

Anyway, cute fellow and I like the drawing.

A few things about the subject: Yep, human mind makes strange things when trying to understand visual things. Ive been talking constantly (too much lately) about my techniques, but a few things came up on my mind that might help other drawers out there:

1. Use mirrors to view a drawing. Some things can be seen better through it. It does not have to be totally in balance when reflected in mirror (even photos usually are not), but some balance mistakes are sometimes only seen through it.

2. Turn the drawing upsidedown. I believe a good drawing has to look good also when viewed upsidedown. A balance thing again.

3. Learn to draw and write also on your other hand. I am right handed, so I try to practise lefthand drawing/writing constantly. I believe switch-handed action improves brains to handle awkward situations and stimulates also braincells that are not usually in active use.

Dont get me wrong, I am not an expert like some professional drawers here are, so if these words by a total amateur sound silly to you, ignore them. But again, these things help me alot.

I just had to tell them, sorry
--

Chrissy, very nice drawing so far. Drawing a beby is much more difficult than drawing older people...

Back to the drawing board.... its time to start a new project...

However, there is an on going argument that forcing one to use their less prominent hand could cause some brain conflicts, possibly even cause stuttering. While I'm not sure about the medical or phsycological aspects involved, I can say my left hand doesn't like to draw.

Anyway, thanks for the thoughts.

Christine

oh, I didnt know about this stuttering thing. But you maybe right. And its true that the wrong hand does not want to draw and write very easily at firstī