A drawing.
 

Just out of curiosity; what critique can you give of this drawing? Do any of you recognize this person?

This one was easy: he's Nelson Mandela !
:sunnysmil
Rui.

Please try to post this with less compression so that it does not puddle. This image probably needs no compression at all. It is just too distorted.

Is it a young Will Smith?

It's a self portrait.

I recognized you right away, Judson. Nice work. You're really coming along.

Thank you.

Judson, I really liked seeing this drawing because the shading is so sensitively done. You have some nice transition areas around the eyes, on the side of the cheek, and around the nose. I agree with Michele that your work has been moving in a very good direction.

Here are a few suggestions: I notice that all (or most of) your shading is done in vertical strokes. How do you hold your pencil? For most people, a slanted stroke is more relaxed and natural. You can also experiment with using strokes that change direction as the curve of the form changes. I like to browse in the bookstore & look through art books; maybe you can find some drawing books and get some ideas of different shading techniques to try in your drawings.

Keep going!

Alex

It has a loose and relaxed feel. However, Judson, it is hard to critique a drawing that has no reference photo. I see a couple of things; nothing that will not clear up with a few thousand more drawings. ;)

It appears thet the eyes are too far apart. The bridge of the nose between the eyes appears to be off center. Also, I would like this better if it included a part of the garment. It appears to be a head with no body.

You're getting better and better Judson.
You should stick to some exercises, the ones Ngaire are doing now, this helps a lot.
I have a book I can email you by Azaro called "planes of the head" or you can go to www.saveloomis.org and download some wonderful books on drawing.

Hope it helps.

I can't give you the reference photo because this has been drawn from life alla prima. I should try drawing on grey paper.