Getting back in the habit... Kelsain's sketchbook

[Kelsain]

OK, hoepfully posting sketches on here will create an expectation that will keep me going.

Without further ado, here comes sketch #1:
Created in PainterX, using primarily the charcoal brush (I'm fond of using it in real life). I'm pretty happy with this as an early practice sketch. The nose and below needs a lot of cleaning up, but I think the eyes are good, and the hair is a good start. I used photo reference for this, and the hair blends into the background.

I welcome your criticism, and thanks for taking a look!

[dmitri]

She looks a bit... beaten up?
Try blocking in values roughly as planes first, then smoothening them to attain a more photorealistic result. Right now you seem to be using a rather small brush, getting a messy, flat-ish result, instead of good form.

[Kelsain]

Actually, yeah, the girl in the photo has a bruised eye. Glad that came across. Next sketch, I'll try using something bigger for the values. I'll probably also be trying out some different tools at this stage.