Custom artwork

I added this link to show the viewer some of my pictures in stages of drawing. 

First I photo copy the original picture that I am drawing.  This enables me to increase the size of the original to the size I am drawing it, making exact proportions easier.  I make the size so that the picture will fit in a ready made matt.  This keeps framing costs down.

I then sketch the picture.  I always keep a piece of paper under my hand to prevent oils from my palm transferring to the paper.  Then I add in the shading, always moving from the left upper corner to prevent smudging my work.  When shading with both charcoal and graphite, the charcoal has to be used first.  The particles of graphite are flat and slick, vs the course particles of charcoal.  The charcoal will usually not adhere over graphite.  Of course with shading comes blending.  I never use my finger.  The oils in your had make the tones uneven and difficult to erase.  I use tortillions (rolled paper) blending sticks, Q-tips, tissue, chamois cloth, etc.  Each blenders creates a slightly different shade.

Once complete the drawing is sprayed with workable fixative (this is the type I use).