"Tranquillity" - Graphite and Charcoal pencil work.

So, after much pondering, I decided to darken the background. It was a good decision too cos it made the portrait a lot better. Charcoal is quite messy though, it gets everywhere if you're not careful. I was really worried as to how the head wrap would turn out and I had to completely redo it from the way I started it before, but once I got into it, it was pretty fun to do.
I completely exhausted my 6B general's charcoal pencil making the background. I guess I should get compressed charcoal sticks to save myself the trouble next time.

Steps to how I achieve skin texture.

• First I start with a very light pencil, usually a 4H, using in a circular motion, I create the first layer then I blend with a cotton bud.
• I repeat the first step with the 2H, HB and so on. Moving further into the B grade depending on how dark I want to go with the portrait.
• I use a Tombow mono zero eraser to pick highlights and create pores, going over it to darken some of the highlights.
• Finally, I go over it to make adjustments with the shading and the pores.
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Paper: Strathmore 300 Bristol 19x24inches paper.
Pencils: Derwent and Steadtler Mars graphite pencils, a Conté a Paris, Pierre Noire B pencil and a General's 6B charcoal pencil
Eraser: Tombow Mono Zero Eraser.
Blending: Soft Brush and Cotton Bud.
Charcoal Powder.