This one too!

Thanks!

Really nice great likeness!!!!!!

Thanks! Any tips on making hair look more realistic? I have trouble with that sometimes.

Hair is one of my challenges too. I just try to be patient and work it all over. I start with a blond by using a graphite smudge stick and graphite powder. Use the hard compact tortillion not the rolled one. It will last longer and you can use it over and over. Next map out the very dark areas and either get a wash and dry pencil or use a very dark led like negro led or even a water color black pencil you can use black colored pencil but that may be too harsh. You will need to buy some wall putty you can buy it at any office supply place. This will work well to pull out the highlights in the hair after applying the initial gray tones with the smudge stick and graphite powder. I use this on a butter dish top and only use the graphite powder sparingly. It goes a long long way.You can experiment with water color paint to apply the washes of darks to get a smooth effect too. I use lighter fluid to apply a kind of wash to make the hair look softer.

I ran out of space there. The wall putty is used to clean up the background and is sicky much better than using a putty eracer. It just works better. It is good for pulling out the high lights in the eyes too. You can e-mail me for more info lionfish9@comcast.net

Thanks for the tips! I drew these pictures with a .5mm mechanical pencil, tortillion, and soft eraser to lift out highlights. I kept thinking there has to be a better way to do the hair. Thanks again!

Good luck and just be spontaneous It takes very much patience. Try some of those tips and see if that helps you.

Wonderful portrait! Great job!

Thank you!