Thanks everyone for the kind comments.

Luca, I don't have any shots of it in progress. I just didn't think of it. I'll try to take some on the next piece. Good idea. The paper is just a cheap (50 cents) Strathmore charcoal paper - just what I had lying around. Not great but it worked ok...I guess it's time to place another Twinrocker order! Thanks!

Marina, I shot this - and 156 other students!! - with a single, Photoflex studio light with softbox (using my new Nikon D200 camera with this great portrait lens - I love my new camera!!). The photos were all taken for all my students' self portrait project - and so now I also have a lot of reference material for my own portrait studies... ;)

Beautiful, sensitive work, David!

David--

Terrific...the tonal control here is masterful--palpable weight and solidity as a result. The color of the ground is a great choice too.

Great work!

(I'm always inspired by the work you put into creating meaty and worthwhile projects for your students, also. The next generation is in good hands...)

Best--T

Dear David, stunning as always! Your student's are indeed lucky to have you as your teacher.

David, this and the other charcoals that you posted are awesome! I am overjoyed when I see other artist using this medium. Please post when ever you have a chance I can never get enough of good solid work.

Lovely. I particularly like the sensitive use of white. Too often in this technique artists are tempted to over use it and it overwhelms the toned paper. Not here, though. The lights just seem to grow naturally out of the mid tones. So nice!

Thank you so much everyone.

Mischa, Well, I'm glad you said I should post whenever possible as I have quite a few more of these in the pipeline and I was wondering if I should post them all. I guess I'll go until you say "stop!"

Michele, I agree with you totally about the tendency to overuse the whites - I'm guilty of this on some of my previous work and I always have to guard against it. It's a real temptation, as it is so satisfying when you start adding the highlights - you just want to keep on adding....they can be quite seductive. So...I'm glad you think there is a balance here.

David