Here is today's practise session. I am not really sure how to really practise shading the nose. It seems so complex and working from foto reference is quite tough as all the shading is so soft 
How do you practise shading/constructing facial features?
I are you going for an exact replica? These look a lot darker than the references.
Just asking so I can give better feedback.
I just used them to construct the nose itself and then I tried to do my own light setup like in my form studies.
I just wanted to get something done last week, work has been really tedious and I couldnt concentrate.
Ah okay, that makes sense.
For me I usually study everything as it is so I can understand the forms and nuances for the feature. Then I'll do one or two on my own to see if I can make it fit with the others.
I think what you're doing is good practice too. It may be helpful to do one or two just like the reference to get a better idea of the plane changes and then change the lighting for a few others. On the ones you did, the the wings of the nose aren't as defined and the shapes are a little off. I think you did well with choosing the the correct values.
I just noticed this, but have you done any organic form studies? It might help to do those as a warm up since facial features are more organic.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for the feedback, Lesley. Apart from the spheres, I haven't done any organic form studies yet, but good point, I'll go to do those first and then continue on with facial features. Maybe that ends up being a little less frustrating
Did another form study today mixing in organic and geometric forms. Organic forms are really tough as I feel like I still lack the brushmanship with the soft brush, its super hard to control it and i often end up with hard edges which I have to soften with the smudge tool afterwards.
Also still a little unsure about my values in general. Often the core shadow of an object appears as if it had a totally different base color 
And here is today's form study. Took about 2.5-3 hours
I especially enjoyed adding the cracks and details in the end
There is one question I have: I noticed in the bottom right form I have a very strong bounce light coming from the plane where the cast shadow lands. Is it even possible to have bounce light from a plane that has a drop shadow on it? 
I wish you all a great weekend!
Here is todays organic form study.
Way better than last time, I still have a lot of things to work on 
Have a great day everyone
You got some nice blending between the values. These are really looking wonderful. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for the kind words, @afoster1138!
Here is today's practise:
Have a great day, everyone!
Here is the last two day's practise. I wanted to see where my current shading skill is after practising all these form studies. I guess I have quite a long way ahead, though my form studies look pretty okay, the human face is so complex that I still got quite overwhelmed and tended to smudge way too much so it looks very muddy. But nevertheless, its a milestone I can use to compare my progress in the future
Have a great day!
HI mau! Good job on the studies!
I think all you have to do is to just go darker with shadows try to do the entire grayscale from white to dark. I'm not an expert but from my very limited experience shading is all about grayscale
You could if you already haven't already try to study the planes of the face alongside doing form studies. I'm not sure if Marc teaches that or not but I spent some time studying the planes of the face and it really helped me identify where the geometric forms of the face are and allows me to shade the face a lot easier. It also helps you understand how to better light a face without ref even though I still use it to determine where the soft and hard transitions are located. Great study overall though keep up the good work
Thank you guys for the feedback, I can definetly see your points!
I'll attempt to work on those things in the next piece! I appreciate your help, @jpbennett02 and @What_the_dog_doin_tho!
15 days later
Whew its been a while! Here is a personal piece I did a while ago, which I finished just now!
Been quite busy lately (preparing for another exciting art related adventure 
) so I am really happy that I finished this piece. Pokemon was an elemental part of my childhood and making fanart is always a cool thing for me
Have a great day!
Awesome work mau,
I really like the Regice you've painted & the scenery you've created captures it really well. What pokemon is that by the trainer? The silhouette reminds me of an Azumarill. Either way i really like it
Thank you so much for the kind words, @OpaqueApple!
Haha yeah that is the big question and I must admit, I didnt give it much thought. I had a pikatchu in mind, but you are right it could be a Azumarill or a very small version of Totoro 
Hi! Great job so far but I think that the sides are too dark
@What_the_dog_doin_tho thank you for your feedback!
Here is the finished study... I still feel like I lost a lot of edges in the end, but its at least an improvement to the last one.
Have a great week!
