Taking a break from graphite and playing with some charcoa for a quick studyl. Its not as precise, but far easier to manipulate, so it encourages blocking in first, then refining... you know... like I probably should do anyway.

#art #drawing #portraitdrawing

Been spending more time working on getting proportions as accurate to the reference as possible. Portraits with subtle tilts to the head, very quickly remind me of just how uncalibrated my artistic eye is, but the results are worth the effort put into fixing what's off.
#art #drawing

Chipped away at this for a while. Learned nothing other than what I already knew: be patient. Not to say that I'm satisfied with the result, but I spent a lot less time fixing things late into the process thanks to taking more time blocking things in.

Exiting the "not inspired" phase of my art studies and entering the "wish I had kept up the practice" one, from which this study came. Will likely go hard for a while till I feel marginally competent, then re-enter the uninspired phase.

Anyone else have no motivation to make art when they have loads time on their hands but suddenly get the itch when life gets busy?

Some studies done during lunchbreak.

Continuing to keep my mind occupied on a monumentally heartbreaking day. Always had a love hate relationship with Mylar, but tried keeping it loose. Not mad at the results.
#art #drawing #portraitdrawing

Haven't done a study of an older figure in a while. Faces shaped by experience are so wonderful and interesting. Beards and wrinkles are a pain in the ass to render though. Could keep going and refining but it'd end up being overworked IMO, and I'm still just doodling to escape...

#art #drawing

Just sketching to keep my mind off things at this point. Still can't seem to sus out how to make my dark values as dark as I've seen others make em with graphite. Bit frustrating to be honest.

#art #drawing

If getting started on something is not convenient, or requires a lot of prep work, I've already lost motivation by the time I'm ready to work. My workspace may seem cramped, but this has helped minimize the inconvenience and excuses I might have for not drawing. Anyone else feel the same?

Another quick study in charcoal on colored paper. I struggled to find how to best incorporate the background color, and avoiding over-using the white chalk. Gonna leave it as is because I'm frustrated and lazy...

Ref image from @bcliston.bsky.social 's latest ref pack. Highly recommend

Super quick study with charcoal. It's funny how going from one medium to another can affect how you process what you're doing. Gonna do more of these because I need to finish off these art supplies that have been collecting dust...

Revisiting charcoal after a long stint sticking with graphite.

Something I've always struggled with is finding my own voice as an artist. Having first learned by copying, the imposter syndrome is in full effect. Tried something with this study, though the more I look at it, the more I feel I should have refined the portrait more before messing around...

Just a sketch. Probably going to see everything wrong with it a few days down the line, but I'm leaving it as is for now.