After watching the critique I gave this exercise another try with new reference to challenge myself. I'm quite happy with the result but I feel like I rushed it a bit, next time I'd like to spend more time on the initial steps making sure my proportions and accuracy are sound. I also tried to add more detail and complex shapes in the light parts of the composition where I felt I should try to draw the viewer's eye. I would welcome any further feedback on the accuracy and choice of values, thank you!

I really enjoyed this but he wasn't kidding about it being tough! Looking forward to trying again soon. I think my main issue is controlling the pencil, I found it really difficult to vary the pressure and also maintain a decent ellipse, I also had to keep reminding myself to draw with my whole arm! Any feedback or tips to improve would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Before and after following Stan's demo. I was much more intentional with strokes and measurements the second time around, and spent properly 30-45 minutes more than I did on the first. I can see an improvement in proportions, plane/value separations and neatness. When I draw faces I notice I tend to 'squash' the proportions a lot (the face gets wider and shorter), so I actively tried not to do that here, but comparing my second portrait to Stan's I think I still ended up squishing him a bit! Lol. I also need to get more pencils, I only have a B and a 4B for now.

Here are my two attempts at the portrait, before (left) and after (right) watching the demo. I'm a lot happier with this one than my previous attempt, the proportions are much better, that said they still have some way to go, next time I would take the right side of the face in a bit, I think its too wide and I'm still not getting the eyes quite right. I followed the demo quite closely on this one as I was really struggling with it, but spent way more time on it and was very particular about measuring which I think has paid off. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Also I apologise for the poor photo quality, I don't have access to my usual lighting setup at the moment.

from left to right, first attempt and then second after watching demo. I think the second attempt had better shading but I think I missed some important interesting shapes.

Did a second attempt after watching the demo. I'm having difficulties making the shade and dark half-tone not appear as though they're the same value. I feel as if when I fill in the shade more, it becomes almost indistinguishable from the darker shade. But when I fill in the darker shade more, it begins looking very spotty and uneven.

Hi there guys I'm new here. I'm really excited to be here. Instead of mindlessly trying to draw things randomly its better to come and do this course and have structure and follow a more procedural tasks. Feedback is much appreciated thanks guys and girls!

After watching the demo I used pear 2 for reference and gave it another try. This time I tried to simplify the shapes even more, and add more contrast between values using a greater variety of pencils. I think I've missed some interesting shapes in the area that I've filled entirely with lighter highlight, so I will work on adding a little more detail in a 3rd attempt after watching the critique video. Any other feedback is much appreciated!

I lost count of how many values I used lol. I feel like it's a fair portrait, with a number of mistakes, but this is probably the longest I've spent on a drawing in years. Feels good haha

Had so much fun doing the exercise and realized drawing is great for my mental health haha Definitely spotted several mistakes after watching the demo, would appreciate any comments :)

I had a lot of fun with this exercise. I tried Pear 03 before I watched the demonstration video. Pear 01 was after. My first attempt definitely involved too many facets and gradations. I also attempted a few images from books I had lying around but I don't have the reference photos. A valuable lesson I learned was that even "boring" subjects can be turned into interesting and dynamic shapes. Thanks!

I did the pear one twice, mostly because I realized I hadn't followed instructions once I went to watch the demo.

Didn't leave enough room for the full cast shadow. Excited to get started. Would love feedback if anyone is still looking at these older projects!

Hi everyone, here are my attempts at both levels prior to watching the demo videos. I feel pretty good about the pear however I think I could have used a variety of pencils to create more contrast between values, I also think I did not simplify the shapes enough for the objectives of the project. I gave the portrait a good go but I found it really difficult to draw the shapes using only straight lines! I struggled with the proportions (especially the eyes). What else could I do to improve my simplification of shapes/values? Thank you in advance!

Hi everyone! Just getting back into learning to draw after a long period of burnout, but really excited to do this course. I've mostly worked with a mechanical pencil before, so it was great to put some time in with other pencils.