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