Graphic Design Self Portrait | Posted: Nov. 10, 2016, 5:40 p.m.

Media: Black and blue ballpoint pen on cardstock

Time: ~ 4 hours

This piece was inspired by Angelina Benedetti's (http://angelinabenedetti.deviantart.com/) work. She is an amazing artist -- please go check out her portfolio!

I explored a number of techniques in this piece, namely

- crosshatching
- line variation
- positive and negative space

One thing that has helped me improve over the years is critiquing a piece a few days after it is finished. I've noticed that when I am deeply concentrating on a piece, I mostly focus on the details. I do not focus on all the components that tie the piece together.

When I get some distance from a piece, I look at the big picture. Then I start noticing flaws.

Flaws in this piece (my personal critiques):

1. The eyes in this piece are slightly cartoonish:
- The top lash line of the eyes has too much of an arc.
- The eyes are out of proportion with the rest of the face. They are slightly larger than they should be.
- The eyelids should be a bit more curved

2. I never established a clear light source. This feature may or may not be good, depending on whether you interpret the piece to be realistic or fantastical.