Deciding on a new drawing takes much time, not only does the reference photo have to be clear and large but it needs to be detailed and interesting, also have excellent contrast. If I am drawing something new (that I have yet to draw) I will look at many references and take in as much info as possible before starting, I want to see the subject from all sides.

After I select a reference I draw out a 1 inch grid using an h pencil. I then print out a few copies of the ref. one I print the grid on, one is printed out darker (to better see shadows), one is lighter (to see details in shadows) and a few are close up's....it varies with each drawing. I draw a very light outline and then begin.... I start with the upper left corner and work my way down and to the right. I tend to turn the reference and drawing upside down and draw much of the piece like this, you can see shapes much easier this way. I am constantly reminding myself to look closer at the subject, see the fine details and draw everything, look at how the shadows fade away and draw it that way, see the different textures and draw them as they are. Details make the piece come alive so never pass up on any!

Only use good contrast photos (lots of darks and light tones) a good balance makes for a great drawing. Draw what you see in the reference but also draw what you know it should look like. Use a mirror when drawing a portrait, besides the photo reference you are your best reference. Most of what we draw is made up of precisely blended tones, so keep that in mind always. Rushing through an area can ruin the whole piece so never EVER rush. Finishing a small area at a time gives you the same feeling as when you finish the whole piece (u need to program yourself).

I use mostly a 3B, B and H pencil, some plain tissue and a blending stick/stump. I draw a few details in a small area and then color in tones and blend them with the tissue, I then go back over that area and darken up the details and put a new layer down, blend and repeat if needed. If I am shading an area and I want it to be as dark as possible I never blend, I just color the area in with close together pencil strokes and then go back over it a few times until it is as dark as I can get it. Highlights are left untouched and if they do get smudged I lighten em up with the kneaded eraser. I use a Mechanical pencil for all details...wood pencils are great for filling in tones. I work about an inch an hour on detailed areas. I use Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board (smooth or vellum), any name brand Mechanical pencils and Derwent wood pencils.

Here is a list of tips (most of what was said above)

1. Use only clear large reference photos to work from
2. Use good contrast photos (lots of darks and light tones) a good balance makes for a great drawing
3. Print out the reference in grayscale, lighten the photo to better see shadowed areas (print different samples)
4. Do not draw from full frontal flash photos, they will look flat
5. Begin with a light outline (draw a one inch grid with the H)
6. Use a clean piece of plain paper under your drawing hand to prevent any smudges
7. Keep works in progress (wips) covered when your not working on them
8. Work on a small, 1-2 inch area at a time, finish it to near perfection before moving on
9. Use a mechanical pencil to draw in details, the point is always sharp
10. Leave highlights untouched and draw around them, use the kneaded eraser to lift out highlights when needed
11. Color in tones with light-med pressure making sure to keep you pencil strokes close together
12. When coloring in an area use circular stokes making sure to overlap all
13. Wrap a piece of clean plain tissue around one finger and blend your mid tones
14. Blend medium tones and then recolor in the area, build your tones until they are realistic
15. Blend all hard lines, unless they are also seen in the reference or in real life
16. Use a mirror when drawing a portrait, besides the photo reference you are your best reference
17. Use a 3b pencil to build up the darkest tones, layer them and do not blend for near black tones
18. Go darker to give the drawing more depth
19. Turn the drawing and reference upside down to better see and render shapes
20. Draw ever tiny detail you see, it’s the details that give the drawing realism
21. Use light layers of a workable fixative on the finished drawing to help reduce graphite shine and smudges
22. Keep in mind that an artist never stops growing, like everything in life you learn as you go along, time truly is your friend
23. Oh and if you rush a drawing it will show so sloooooow way down and enjoy your artistic journey.

Here are a few of my *NEW* Video drawing Tutorials:

Eye Tutorial 1
Eye Tutorial 2
Nose Tutorial 1
Nose Tutorial 2
Mouth Tutorial

Older tutorials
Lip tut
Hair 1 tut
Hair 2 tut
To view a very old Drawing Tutorial click here.