This was a real struggle.  I don’t know if it is the age of my vine charcoal or the type of paper in my current sketchbook but I had a lot of trouble getting a smooth shaded effect on this.  The truth is the vine charcoal I’m using could be as old as 16 years, if it’s the same charcoal that I used back in college, which I think it might be.  Now, I suddenly feel old.  But it’s funny that it just occurred to me.

Plus, I think the paper plays a small role in it as well.  I’ve recently transitioned into a new sketchbook with thinner paper.  I feel like the charcoal had a smoother wash to it in my previous sketchbook, which my beautiful wife actually made for me.  Yep, she bound the book and everything…but that’s another subject, which I will devote a later post to.

But anyways, this was quite a struggle!  His proportions look a bit wonky but I’m OK with how it ultimately came out.  I know it could have been better, of course.

Medium: Charcoal

Time: 2 hours

Reference: Photo