I feel compelled to do pretty extensive lay-in work to establish where everything should go before reducing the opacity and doing the actual line quality study over top. Is this a reasonable approach or does it run contrary to the spirit of the exercise? My lay-in lines and process are surely different from the artist who I’m studying, but I don’t think I can manage any other way.

Joshua Black’s original sketch, my study, and my drawing coach, Francine.

Here are my references, study sketches, and my final sketch from imagination.

I’m still trying to loosen up.

I found it very difficult to simplify forms into basic CSI lines! I just can’t seem to stop myself from refining. I think I need to practice this a lot more in order to internalize the lesson and gain confidence in my line work without concerning myself with measurements and perspective.

The posture isn't quite right, he has too much hair and his ear is too small, but I'm pretty happy with this.