guy with the dog

This is beautiful - great detail on A4. I can learn from this great picture

I have been viewing this again, truly fantastic! Can you tell me exactly what paper you were using?

Thanks for the info - I would like to try out that paper. Keep up the great work. Very inspirational.

Tortillon?

Hi again Stanya! I have just been looking at this great picture again, also your fabulous German Shepherd. I want to ask you if you ever use a paper tortillon to blend lines when creating a continuous area of tone - say on the guy's sunglasses in this picture?

Thanks for the info. You mention a small paintbrush. Not sure what you would be doing with this - Using it 'dry' maybe blending graphite powder on the drawing? Or just blending the pencil strokes? Sorry for the '20 questions'!

Great info Stanya - thanks very much. An additional query if you don't mind. I find I have a problem with the dreaded graphite 'shine' on my portraits. Do you find layering gets round this problem. Or do you end up with the shine anyway and not worry about it - As that's the nature of Graphite.

Thanks very much for your latest tip - I will have a play around with these techniques.