I am attaching just the outline sketch. I am not sure if it will show up properly, the H & 2H pencil dont seem to be picked up too well by the scanner. Any comments/ suggestions?

Mike, you are right! I think, I drew what I thought I saw as opposed to what was actually there! I understand that right ear looks very artificial, but I just made up those dark areas since its is not very clear in the picture. But this time I will try to make it look as real as I can...

OK, A question you need to ask yourself before you move on, Are you pleased with what's in front of you? I think it looks great, and everybody else will too. Your the artist and this is your creation, so, before you take your next step, really spend some time just looking at it, visualize the end piece, I do this thruout all my drawings. Mike sibley asked me in another post if I find it hard to let go of work when I finish, YES! It's during the "looking", that's when I grow close to them. (I hope that doesn't weird you out, this is the deep side of drawing) So take time to admire your own work.

Before we move forward I have to say that I am an unschooled artist and that every tip I give is plain and simply "The way I draw" so with that said off we go!

I'm assuming your going to start with the face? I draw in layers, meaning if I was to start this little guy I would use an F pencil and Lightly add tone to his entire face, moving and angleing in the direction of the contours, then I would blend out that first layer with Chamious. Build this layer to your highlight level (the left side of the photo) Once the entire face is at the the highlight level you like, then your ready to start level two.

You may want to move to a B pencil you'll have to decide that, start your layering process around the forhead and move to the shadow side building and layering your midtones and threequarter tones. constantly blend nice soft tones. continue until you get to shadow depth, your shadow, not the photo's. the photo is just a source your the artist kid! pick your pencil for all levels. If an area is getting to dark use your kneaded eraser to pull it back and then blend it out. I keep my kneaded eraser in my opposite drawing hand to keep it soft, it will pick up the graphite better.

I hope this is what your looking for I know it's lengthy. but it's a start.

I'm around all day today, Saturday I'm at a wedding and a christmas party so I'll check again on Sunday morning!
Most of all G. Have FUN!!!!!

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

A few questions before I start. Do I first work on the eyes, nose & lips before I add tone to the entire face? Especially the nose, will that be developed as I start adding tone?
Thanks!

Btw, did someone tell you that all my friends call me - G !!

I was drawing a commission about a year ago and was about 8 hours into when nature called. When i returned to my drawing table my 3 year old son had jumped into my seat and was "Helping daddy finish his drawing" It was so cute that i couldn't get angry. I signed it, and helped him sign it, and now it's "Our drawing" we did together!

Where you start is totally up to you, I think most people start with eyes, nose and mouth I usually draw left to right. (usually) These areas are going to require subtle highlight work with your kneaded eraser so have it handy to pop the little highlites around the nose and the little cracks in the lips, things of this nature. In the real tight ares you may want to wrap some tissue around the tip of your tortillion or use the tortillion unwrapped, the chamious is a little heavy for these areas. The eyes are a whole different ball game. You want them to look round and wet and there are deffinate steps to achieve that. How do you feel about your eye's? The only example I give you is my logo below, The highlights may be different in yours but the technique is the same, if you need help I can try to do a step by step. let me know.

Remember to shape your features, blending in the right directions.

Cool?

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

....I'm having a terrible amount trouble trying to blend the Iris

The tip about wrapping tissue around the tortillon is going into my tech-tip file.

Thanks

Bob
(Hoping they will get the messages back)

PS: I agree with Robert, I think it is very, very... nice of you to offer to help me with this drawing!

-GRChristensen / GzC

Quote Marc,
I'm following the advice that you're giving...and ....I would really...really!!! like it ......if you would do a step by step technique with how you draw eyes.....

....I'm having a terrible amount trouble trying to blend the Iris

Good tips you are giving there

I'll bet that picture you and your kid did together will stay a part of you forever. Stuff like that is priceless, the picture may be worthless money wise, but nothing on earth could buy the memories that will hold.

I totally agree with you on the "can't let go" front. When I told an old friend of mine I had started drawing again he said "are you going to keep them again or actually sell them this time" I guess we put so much into them the almost become our children. (I'm glad it's not just me )

G,

Follow Marcs advice and start with the eyes, work down to the nose and mouth before anything else. If they look right then just carry on. These are the main features of the face and if they look wrong you won't be able to pull the picture off.

Keep drawing,
Phil