I began working on a portrait project using graphite dust....it was very messy! What you would have to do is pencil in your outline & smudge this black powder...(graphite dust) into the paper to create highlights & shadows. the only time you were allowed to use your pencil for this assignment was for fine detail throughout the hair, ears, and eyes. I felt that this assignment took longer than normal because I am very used to a pencil & never smudge to create softness, or shading. It also took a while to make the face light enough, the powder was essentially black so you had to manipulate the powders to shade, at this point you would use next to no dust on your fingers. For anyone who is doing this assignment, it is not for those people who don't like to get dirty....its a messy one, and graphite dust ends up everywhere (especially if your like me) you will definitely have it on your hands, and almost always ends up on your face and your clothing...(so don't wear your best clothes, or white clothes!)
As I progressed with the assignment things got easier! I found that manipulating the dust became simple, and it came together faster after I felt comfortable with the medium. The hardest part was in the end when I was going back in to do the fine detail...you never realise how many wrinkles Keith Richards has until you begin to draw him. I think that I could fix his eyes, I think they are a little to big...making him look less proportionate.
In the end I was able to manipulate the powder to make his eyes more proportional, as well as fix some of the shading throughout the portrait. I do not like his hair at all, and I hope to fix that to my liking. Overall I think for the first time trying this medium I did an ok job, & have an idea for next time on how to manipulate the graphite dust to my liking...Hopefully next time I will be able to get through the project faster! Looking forward to trying it again!
I found some smaller pieces I think you all would enjoy! I have a "self portrait" of me, wire like, I have done with pen & ink as well as pencil crayon...I also have a cute non representational piece also done in this medium! Sometimes I love doing small pieces like this just to get inspired! Hope you enjoy them! :D 
