how i sketch

Part 3 and 4 to be added in due course, i need to get there first.

I thought I would give you an idea of how I sketch. I am often asked to make tutorials, this is probably the closest you’ll get from me, at least for a good while.

The left image was the first sketch, drawn with 0.5mm HB mechanical pencil. Completely free-hand (I used a reference, but no grids, just draw what I see). It outlines where the lines will be and I use a little rough shading to highlight the areas which will be shaded darker (I made the hair dark at this stage to prevent it looking stupid).

To reach the second image I abandoned my HB for a softer 2B 0.5mm mechanical pencil. Refined the lines, correcting them a little where needed, into what will be their final positions. Added more extensive shading of the darker areas to give the face life, and add depth.

From here I shall blend the shading to make the skin smooth, add more dark shading and blend again, erasing to bring out light areas as I go along. And then add final dark and light details.

I will show you one more step and the final drawing once I get them done