Confused about advanced graphite drawings

[kayness]

how does one keep the graphite from smudging onto hands and thus the rest of the drawing? while working, I mean.

EDIT: Ok I just found an answer to my own question - a mahl stick. (wow, never heard of that before!)

[bcarman]

how does one keep the graphite from smudging onto hands and thus the rest of the drawing? while working, I mean.

Paper, bridge, or white glove.

[Elwell]

Slipsheet.

[Erayo]

The first time I felt in control with graphite was when I started noticing the pencil was actually blending the graphite that was already on the paper. Since then, crosshatching, or any other rendering technique just came much more naturally.
When doing perfect renders such as the ones posted previously, do you ever hold the pencil the sword way or just the regular grip?

[Vay]

I use glassine. I bought them in big rolls, and I also fold them and tape them with masking tape to make flat storages to store my drawings.

[OldJake666]

Cool drawings but am I the only one who's wondering what's going on with the Liz Beard drawing(2nd one)?

I actually think that one is the most accomplished of the bunch. The white spots are unfinished areas, I think.

[kayness]

Cool drawings but am I the only one who's wondering what's going on with the Liz Beard drawing(2nd one)?

do you mean those little cylindrical arrows and blocks around the drawing?

[Talis]

Patience is the word and especially the thought you need! Smudging with your finger makes the drawing look muddy in my opinion and misses some oomph! Plus the fat of your fingers is getting in.

In this case drawing comes close to painting, just keep on fixing stuff untill you feel it is right.

[Aaron_]

@kayness: No, I mean the weird white spots.

@Jacob:Yeah, I think it's the better drawing out of the bunch, but it would be a very strange process if it's unfinished though. Just look at the spot under her boob and near the knee, or the curious handling of edges around the broken arm. But I guess it must be unfinished then.

[ikken]

how does one keep the graphite from smudging onto hands and thus the rest of the drawing? while working, I mean.

EDIT: Ok I just found an answer to my own question - a mahl stick. (wow, never heard of that before!)

I'm not sure what you mean by "advanced" graphite drawings, but it might be reasonable to use fixative spray from time to time if you're doing tightly rendered, lengthy drawings.
I'm not sure if it's legit (why not), but it did the trick for me a few times.


and some thin cotton gloves/mittens to avoid skin smudges.

[kayness]

I don't see the 'weird white spots'

...

[FlameDragon]

Here's one by another classmate (Anthony Baus):



We just had our exhibition, it's so inspiring see all the works, truly remarkable stuff.

[kayness]

Here's one by another classmate (Anthony Baus):

We just had our exhibition, it's so inspiring see all the works, truly remarkable stuff.

that's just mindblowing!