process of creating portrait: Drawing, charcoal and conte pencil on cardboard

I uploaded the process of creating another portrait for you. This piece was done with charcoal and conte pencil on cardboard, and I finally used some acrylic paint. I hope you enjoy it.

working with strong contrasts between light and #darkness . I was interested in the expressive power of the face, especially the eyes, and how a few bold marks can convey a feeling without explaining everything.

I enjoy the raw quality of charcoal, its rough textures, and the freedom to let the marks remain visible. Rather than focusing only on details, I wanted the contrast, shadows, and loose strokes to become part of the expression itself.

For me, drawing is a continuous exploration of seeing, feeling, and translating what I observe into lines and tones.

What do you feel when you look at this portrait?

The Importance of Contrast in Drawing
In my opinion, contrast is one of the most important tools of #expression in #drawing . When I draw, the contrast between light and dark is not simply a way to represent volume and form; it can also give an artwork character, depth, and emotion. Sometimes, a very dark area placed next to a small section of white paper creates an impact that hours of detailed work cannot achieve.

Contrast helps guide the viewer’s eye. Through its use, I can emphasize an important part of a face, #draw attention to the eyes, or create an ambiguous and mysterious atmosphere. This becomes even more important when working with charcoal and conte, as they offer a wide range of tones, from soft grays to deep blacks and the untouched whiteness of the paper.

Of course, contrast is not limited to light and dark. Differences between thick and thin lines, rough and smooth textures, precise and loose forms, and even finished and unfinished areas can bring energy to a drawing.

I believe that a good drawing does not necessarily mean representing every detail. Sometimes, omission, exaggeration, and carefully considered contrasts can make a face feel more alive and expressive. Contrast helps me decide what should be seen, what should remain in shadow, and how the viewer’s eye moves through the artwork.

Yours sincerely, Hossein Rishehri