Portrait drawing (take 2)

I took another class on portrait drawing to get some more people practice (who doesn't). The same instructor made the skills practice a little easier and the steps more concrete. I really focused on going light and taking my time--two things I need a ton of work on. 

We had two models for two weeks at a time--polar opposites: an older lumberjack and a young, hip woman. 

A few nights were a struggle but I was persistent and plowed through the "I don't wannas". Some hardcore hip-hop seemed to do the trick too. Something about Lil' Wayne yelling at you makes you want to push on.

bejeweled-farm-blitz-gram-book

My lovely girlfriend was getting some alone time in while playing "bejeweled-farm-blitz-gram-book" on her phone. She had this cool pose going that was a combination of comfortable & intense. I thought it would be a good idea to try and sketch her! I've always avoided sketching "pretty women" because they come out all "not pretty". But since her knee was in the way--no fear! 

[pentel Graph Gear 1000 pencil w/HB lead, in a S+B Zeta sketchbook]

Mangoes, or is it mangos?

I was unhappy with my watercolor application on my "Buffalo Springfield" sketch, so I practiced some more with a few mangos sitting on the counter. I realized that:
A) I am impatient waiting for watercolors to dry 
B) adding watercolor pencils afterwards added some nice depth and shadows that I was desperately craving. (see the before and after pic)
C) much more skilled adding watercolor pencils than actual watercolors

[namiki falcon with DeArtementis Document ink, D+S watercolors in a S+B Zeta sketchbook]

test taking

Get used to this sight: a student taking a test--and more tests, and more tests. I was asked to cover a class and they just so happened to be taking a test. There wasn't much to do except sketch these zombie-students clicking away. More wasted time to see if teachers are good at what they do or not. 

[#2 pencils in a strathmore toned sketchbook]