Shhhhh. It’s a surprise party!

Thank you!

Noted!

Colored and rendered beautifully!

Thanks!

I don't think I was subtle enough with the hatching in places, and I'm really struggling with 'beard texture.' :/ Any time I lay down this black pencil I can't go over it with anything due to it's greasy nature--it smudges instead of blending. Have to get more systematic, I guess.

Thanks!

I used to do some portraiture years ago, but picked it back up during the pandemic lockdowns. All told--fewer than 5 years of practice? I'll dig up some old drawings one day.

I think it's because 3/4 portraits are fun to draw (and maybe easier?), and when the subject makes eye contact with the viewer it somehow comes across as meaningful or knowing. That's my take, at least.

Thanks, BallShapedMan! I love drawing portraits that give one the side-eye :)

Thanks!

I'm using Derwent tinted charcoal for the chalky white and white gel pen for spot highlights.

Thanks! I'm working on hatching specifically, so it's good to hear that something's working. I recently added white pencil to my approach with gel pen for only the brightest highlights. Will post that experiment next.

That sense memory of hair product smells mixed with smoke--so strong in my mind! When I watched the Netflix documentary about the making of We Are the World I was transported.

I think the obsession is linked to the fact that X = 88 in ASCII. It's exactly the kind of clever he enjoys.

This is the way.