Graphite and white charcoal drawings

I was in art supplies store recently and purchased a toned paper sketchbook and some white charcoal pencils.

I really like the contrasts you can get with graphite pencils and white charcoal. So I sat down on the weekend and came up with these two drawings.

Where it all began.

I first really started enjoying drawing when I was a child reading Asterix and Obelix. Uderzo was my childhood hero. I spent countless hours reading and admiring the drawings. Thank you for the inspiration Uderzo.

Drawing practice.

With my continued focus on portrait painting this year, I've started a series of graphite drawings to help me with my tonal range and practice drawing the human face.
I think the extra practice will help me get closer to my goal of painting better portraits.

Cosmo Kramer

Mr Bean

Bearded Man

Heisenberg

Focus on portraits for 2019

It has been way too long between posts. I have continued painting and drawing over the last several years but not as consistently as I would like. This year I am hoping to change that and spend more time on my journey to art.
In particular, I want to improve my portrait drawings and paintings.
I've only painted a handful of portraits so I have a lot to learn.
At the bottom is my very first portrait that I painted back in 2010. The photo below is my recent painting of my late father. I would like to revisit at the end of the year and gauge my progress. I wish dad was here to see my progress.

My fourth portrait 2019

Way back in 2010, my first portrait.