As intended!

There is also Adam Curtis’s series TraumaZone, showing tons of footage shot in the USSR during it’s collapse.

TraumaZone

Episodes are around on YouTube.

The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. Great book and a TV miniseries. An alternative history that has Lindbergh winning the presidency in the 30s and the US government enacting fascism domestically. The book does a great job of portraying the chaos that ensues. The series is also very good.

The Plot…

Thank you so much! I’ll put some more hands in future portraits :)

I am flattered! I keep looking to Mark Schultz’s carbon pencil drawings and am every time humbled, though.

Thanks! I’ve really been enjoying the contrasts one can get out of one carbon pencil–and no silvery sheen like with graphite!

Thank you! It means a lot :)

I may take a break and hope for a second wind.

Thanks! I hope the rubbery-ness of the gloves comes through :)

Shhhhh. It’s a surprise party!

Thank you!

Noted!

Colored and rendered beautifully!

Thanks!

I don’t think I was subtle enough with the hatching in places, and I’m really struggling with ‘beard texture.’ :/ Any time I lay down this black pencil I can’t go over it with anything due to it’s greasy nature–it smudges instead of blending. Have to get more systematic, I guess.

Thanks!

I used to do some portraiture years ago, but picked it back up during the pandemic lockdowns. All told–fewer than 5 years of practice? I’ll dig up some old drawings one day.

I think it’s because 3/4 portraits are fun to draw (and maybe easier?), and when the subject makes eye contact with the viewer it somehow comes across as meaningful or knowing. That’s my take, at least.

Thanks, BallShapedMan! I love drawing portraits that give one the side-eye :)

Thanks!

I’m using Derwent tinted charcoal for the chalky white and white gel pen for spot highlights.

Thanks! I’m working on hatching specifically, so it’s good to hear that something’s working. I recently added white pencil to my approach with gel pen for only the brightest highlights. Will post that experiment next.

That sense memory of hair product smells mixed with smoke–so strong in my mind! When I watched the Netflix documentary about the making of We Are the World I was transported.