I hear you! I put my pencils down for almost thirty years. But there was never a time that I did not want to be doing art, dreaming of doing it, but unable to pick up a pencil. It is a long story. But the happy ending is that I started up four years ago and there has been nothing but joy in drawing again and great hopes for painting soon!!! The first portrait I did after so many years seemed to draw itself, like some kind of magic. I was amazed at what came out. I may post it for you if I have it here.

Anyways, I can see from this drawing that you are going to soar and I am sure you will get great encouragement from the professionals on this site. So glad you are here on the forum. You will love it.

Glad to "meet" another graphite/charcoal artist. There are so few of us here!!! I look forward to more of your drawings.

David and Patricia - Many thanks for the kind remarks. I am incredibly flattered.

Andrea,
This came out incredible. Congratualtions. This is already an improvement from your first 'Maddie' post. I'm kinda jealous, my charcoal's still stink. Gotta keep going. ;)

Jimmie - I doubt you could produce anything that stinks! Okay - here lies my frustration. The post that you commented on was done AFTER this one. I am going backwards!

Uggg, I knew I was sticking my foot in my mouth. Then you must have had a better reference for the 3 kids, or the contrast in 'Maddie' may have made you nervous. High contrast always has me thinking, "how dark is too dark" or the other way around with the lights. Anyway, you certainly have the potential to produce great work.