9 x 12 graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Smooth (300 series). Here is an update on a drawing I’m working on of my friend and artist Kate Zambrano who put on skull makeup for this past Halloween. I loved how Kate looked in the makeup and felt inspired to try to capture her. I’m using Pentel P205 mechanical pencils with 4H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, and 4B leads. I’m not using any blending tools, I’m creating my tones by layering my graphite by making tiny overlapping circular motions. I work light to dark starting with my 4H pencil and light hand pressure. I fully exhaust the tone before moving up to the next grade of lead, using slightly more pressure as I move to the next grade. I then repeat the process until I feel content that I captured the right tone. More to come soon!!