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Description
In college I was forced to complete my drawings without smudging and crosshatching the entire design. Whereas I love the effects crosshatching has on certain drawings, I prefer to revert back to how I taught myself to draw - smudging!!!!! (of course close inspection of the originals will show crosshatching in the deepest darkest shadows, smudging is my primary use! Keep that in mind - this is not a lesson in crosshatching!

First shading using 2b pencil
1. Crosshatch first layer keeping strokes in one direction
2. Using your finger, Q-tip (cotton swab) and/or tissue, smudge pencils until you have a uniform layering.
a. use Q-tip in a circular motion - be careful as the tip may push through - be sure you are using only the cotton part or you will achieve tiny little marks (this may be useful when doing textures but looks funy for flesh)
b. ball tissue up and pinch between your fingers pressing hard - be careful as the tissue will shred so be mindful of your materials and continue to ball it up as needed

[NOTE: I advise against continually using 'clean' Q-tips and tissue. As you begin to add softer layers of lead on the drawing you will need to apply less pressure when smudging. You also will be able to use the 'dirty' tissue/Q-tip on a clean area for detailed work (skipping the use of the pencil altogether)]

Next step here: [link]

Description
In college I was forced to complete my drawings without smudging and crosshatching the entire design. Whereas I love the effects crosshatching has on certain drawings, I prefer to revert back to how I taught myself to draw - smudging!!!!! (of course close inspection of the originals will show crosshatching in the deepest darkest shadows, smudging is my primary use! Keep that in mind - this is not a lesson in crosshatching!

First shading using 2b pencil
1. Crosshatch first layer keeping strokes in one direction
2. Using your finger, Q-tip (cotton swab) and/or tissue, smudge pencils until you have a uniform layering.
a. use Q-tip in a circular motion - be careful as the tip may push through - be sure you are using only the cotton part or you will achieve tiny little marks (this may be useful when doing textures but looks funy for flesh)
b. ball tissue up and pinch between your fingers pressing hard - be careful as the tissue will shred so be mindful of your materials and continue to ball it up as needed

[NOTE: I advise against continually using 'clean' Q-tips and tissue. As you begin to add softer layers of lead on the drawing you will need to apply less pressure when smudging. You also will be able to use the 'dirty' tissue/Q-tip on a clean area for detailed work (skipping the use of the pencil altogether)]

Next step here: [link]