9 x 12 graphite on Strathmore 300 Bristol Smooth paper. I am not using any blending tools, I’m layering my graphite using Pentel P205 mechanical pencils with Pentel graphite 4H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, and 4B leads. I start by laying down a layer of graphite with 4H then slowly build up my darks. I also start with light pressure then slowly increase my hand pressure very slightly to keep building up the contrast. I then take a kneaded eraser and lighten areas that need to be lightened by pinching a point into the eraser and slowly dabbing the paper. More to come soon!