Here's my attempt before the demo. First day starting this course if someone needs a partner reach out. Any feedback would be appreciated thanks.

attempt with demo

First attempt pre demo. Relatively pleased but probably not blocky enough and think i used more than 5 shades.

Awful! Will try this again after more practice

First attempt (no demo) took me an hour. gave up on the shapes though... the mouth killed me...i'm having a really tough time seeing the shapes! even when i squint. second attempt (with demo) two hours... looks more organized. but same problems as with the pear: halftones are off? and shadows too light? is there a way to train the shape seeing? because sometimes it totally makes sense and other times it's just not obvious what kind of shape to use. especially for the complicated ones (mouth and right eye)

Failed in the first 2 attempts (2nd and 3rd pics).

honestly this project is DEVASTATING but I'm glad I see a bit of improvements!! lips is still the hardest part to draw lol but yeah i gave up midway i cba shading in the clothes (1st pic is the second attempt after watching the video) it would probably be better if i spent a bit more time on the shading but im too lazy :P

Mouth was the most challenging area. There are other mistakes in my drawing but the mouth was always most problematic for me across multiple attempts.

Hello, all! After watching this lesson several, yes, several, times, and re-evaluating my third attempt (traditional image on the right), I decided my drawing had missed the fundamental point of the exercise: to simplify values with sharp edges and basic shapes. In the first three attempts I struggled in different areas, composition, values, etc., though across them all was one, continuous error—focusing too much on semi-realism. Starting out, I had done much more complicated portrait works, including fuller-ranged values, so as an intermediate artist, the fact I bought a fundamentals course somehow still didn't resonate with me, leading me into a perfectionist mindset; I wanted everything to reflect my perceived skill rather than heeding to the purpose of the exercise. Anyway, I believe all of this is relevant considering how many other artists, like me, have struggled in admitting they're aiming to make something that looks pleasing, rather than to make something the result of skill-building; of exercise and training with a targeted structure. Though I realized this lesson later, considering, again, how this is my fourth attempt, I am really proud with how my final attempt came rendered out in a simplified style. Concerning self-criticism, I think I struggled on simplifying the shapes of the values as the image itself, naturally, bears a full-spectrum. Some of the simplifications Stan was drawing out impressed upon me the importance of breaking everything down into recognizable, basic shapes, rather than trying to add gradations or subtle transitions between the forms. Though, again, finding those shapes and edges was challenging for me, though I think taking the time to process those complicated values and shapes has improved my eye's ability to break them down into digestible information. I haven't yet received any comments from my posts (though, I recognize there's dozens of videos and constant uploads needing or wanting a response), so any feedback or acknowledgement is welcome—whether from another student, TA, etc. ALL that to say, after four attempts, and many months in between (mostly because of college), I'm finally ready to tackle the rest of this course; I'm excited! P.S., the fourth attempt, if it wasn't clear, is the one with the value range on the left. It is kinda blurry, and I did try to get some good lighting with what I had, but hopefully it's good enough quality for assessment.

Please don't judge the shirt, i got frustrated towards the end. Any critiques or suggestions welcome

The first portrait was without the demo and the feedback videos the second portrait was after for some reason it looks a bit wired to me I think it maybe because of my proportions or the values I used even though they are the same ones I used for the first portrait I'm not sure what it is would love some feedback.

Left - Before Demo - Computer paper Right - After Demo - Sketchbook 2h, HB, 2B, 6B My placement of the shadows/proportions could use some work. Also, I am having trouble with the initial mid-tone. It is barely distinguishable from the lighter mid-tones in some places, so I end up adding more values just to create contrast. I would love to get this done with just five values. I will start a bit darker next time.

This is my level 1 try for the level 2 exercise, I think I need to draw bigger to take care of the little details and change some of my pencils 😅

I did the first try digitally before watching the demo. I think my proportions are off in the digital version. Was more mindful to the proportions. However somehow messed up the values very badly on the traditional one. That 4B pencil lied to me. It made everything too dark. I might come back to this lesson and do another one later.