Working on My Own Portrait

I started my own portrait a couple days ago.

It is strange to me, drawing myself. Not sure if I am enjoying the process or not.

I decided to try making my skin tone more artistic looking and not realistic to my own “real” skin tone. When I was taking a colored pencil course the teacher said it didn’t necessarily matter if the colors were “spot on”. The shading and the layering is what gives the portrait its realistic quality. I figured that my portrait would be the best to test out this theory. That way, if it looks terrible, I’m not too heart broken.

Also continuing to use the solvent as a way to blend the colored pencil layers. I am thoroughly enjoying this method and love how the solvent gives it a much softer look.