Berty in Black and White
 

Here's the completed version. Thanks to everyone who helped me in the Critiques section.

Julie, this is a knockout piece. Very strong and sensitive, with beautifully massed values, terrific edgework.. Can you give size, materials?

Congratulations!

How lovely, how beautiful, how moving.

The size etc.
 

Thanks -

It is 12 x 14 inches, done mainly in pencils ranging from 2B to 8B. The background was too grainy with just pencil, so I scrubbed into it with a hard charcoal stick - "General's", and then wiped off the excess. Lot of use of the kneaded eraser.

I tried to use everything I've been learning in my reading to practical use in this portrait; edges, values, contrast, focal point and so forth.

Julie,

I've been watching your progress on this all the way through, and I'm so happy you decided to do it. She is lovely, you can be very proud of yourself!

Jean