I Don't Do Faces!

That was my mindset up until now.  For some reason, no matter how hard I tried, I could never, successfully, draw a face whether it be straight from a picture or just trying to do one from scratch.  However, since I'm trying to get better and broaden my drawing capabilities, I tried again.

“Everyone has a 'risk muscle.' You keep it in shape by trying new things. If you don't, it atrophies. Make a point of using it at least once a day.” ~Roger Von Oech

A few weeks ago my roommate took a couple pictures of my girlfriend and me.  The pictures came out really well and, since the first time seeing one of the pictures, I wanted to try to draw it.  I thought that it would be a good thing to try as my first real picture with faces and it would be a good practice of shading.  So, after six and a half straight hours of sitting at my desk and drawing, I finished what I think is a great first.  I'm actually really impressed with how it came out and, seeing how it came out, it gives me the "courage" to keep trying until I perfect those faces we so commonly see.  I hope you like it…I do!
(P.S.  My book is too big for the scanner so the darkness on the right side and top of the picture is because it was off.)

-A. Morgan