what do you think??

by manoozo
(egypt)

i drew this one, but i don't know how to make it more sharp....i mean,i think i over did the softening the edges, and i don't know how to fix it...can you help me???
and another thing...
how do you draw a 3/4 face??

Hello Manoozo -

I like both drawings very much. I do see what you mean by the soft edges. I do have some advice for this.

First, decide to make each object a different value. For example, the hands can be light gray, the pottery can be medium gray and the table can be bright white. Your current drawing has all 3 subjects pretty much the same value, a light/medium gray. Only the background is dark, which is nice because it adds some depth to your drawing!

Second, the problem with outlining objects in charcoal is that they tend to look like cartoons. However, when you don't outline them they become too soft around the edges, right? Well, not really, if you know how to make a sharp edge without using an outline! Here is what to do: try this technique out on a scratch piece of paper first - 1. Draw a 5" inch circumference circle using charcoal, make it medium dark - 2. place a piece of paper covering half of your dark charcoal circle - 3. holding the paper down tight against the page, use an eraser to remove most of the exposed charcoal - do you see the sharp line?

Wherever backgrounds meet objects you can use this technique - if the object is curved you will have to be careful to erase along the curve yourself without a piece of paper.

As for 3/4 portrait drawing - one day I will post a lesson about that, but until then I recommend a lesson by my affiliate partner Christopher Sia. He has created a home study course that will teach you all about portraits, including 3/4 poses. It's not free but the price is reasonable - You can check it out by clicking here.

If you'd rather see it done for free, here is a link to a great youtube video on the subect: Drawing a Head 3/4 View.

Best wishes and happy drawing!
Elizabeth