Hi everyone,
I just posted a sketch I did last night in brown colored pencil under the critique thread.

It was more or less a gesture draw that I did in about five minutes.

Here's my question.

I seem to be able to capture people better when I am using a heavier pencil like one of my prismacolor pencils rather than a regular 2H or other pencil.

I also am finding that I seem to do better with the gesture draws (meaning that the person I'm drawing looks closer to the person than if I'm taking my time with it).
How can I get my sketches to take on a better shape with normal pencils and why is it coming easier or faster with my prismacolor and less time???

The minute I pick up my 2H or HB - blah...not nearly the same result.

I'm at a loss....

I'm not sure if I should post the pic again that I did last night of Pope John Paul II but if you go under the thread about showing your work - you'll find me there as the last poster.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Claudia

My suggestion is to start your drawings with HB or 2H and keep the lines faint. But as you start to shade use a B or 2B and gradually get darker. I say this because if you press hard with the HB or 2H the lines will make an imprint in your paper and they will also be harder to erase if you need to. I try to use a softer lead than necessary and keep my pressure at a feather softness to start. I find the soft leads are easier to erase without leaving imprints or changing the texture of the paper. I only use the 2H and 4H when I am doing very light skin or light areas. I hope this helps.

Oh, i forgot to mention, the color pencils are softer than the 2H and HB.

BRB

Thanks BRB for sharing this is very helpful also for the rest of us..