I felt like I had a bit more control of the charcoal tonight.  I started with a wash of charcoal until the whole paper was toned medium gray.  Then I began drawing out the outline and structure of his face with extra-soft vine charcoal.  Then, I moved from the extra-soft to the soft and darkened up the shadow areas.  I blended it until I had a rough shaded structure and then I began using the rubber eraser to draw in the highlights.  This evening I felt myself having a teensy bit more command of the charcoal.

Medium: Charcoal

Time: 2 hours

Reference: Photo