Graphite Self Portrait

Artist Statement:

The main idea that guided my artwork was shading. Throughout the creation of my artwork, I focused on the different shades in different areas. Through these different shades, I was attempting to make a self-portrait that was at least similar in proportion to my reference photo. 

I made my artwork using different types of graphite pencils on drawing paper. I used a variety of graphite pencils for different areas of shading. 

To create this artwork I first started by drawing a grid on my reference photo and my drawing paper so that I could focus on individual squares instead of the entire paper. Then I started at the top of the paper and slowly made my way down the page until I had finished my drawing with a full scale of values from white to black and all the greys in between.