So, after much pondering, I decided to darken the background. It was a good decision too cos it made the portrait a lot better. Charcoal is quite messy though, it gets everywhere if you're not careful. I was really worried as to how the head wrap would turn out and I had to completely redo it from the way I started it before, but once I got into it, it was pretty fun to do.
I completely exhausted my 6B general's charcoal pencil making the background. I guess I should get compressed charcoal sticks to save myself the trouble next time.
Steps to how I achieve skin texture.
Paper: Strathmore 300 Bristol 19x24inches paper.
Pencils: Derwent and Steadtler Mars graphite pencils, a Conté a Paris, Pierre Noire B pencil and a General's 6B charcoal pencil
Eraser: Tombow Mono Zero Eraser.
Blending: Soft Brush and Cotton Bud.
Charcoal Powder.