Today’s value study turned into more of an exercise in using charcoal. I toned my sketchbook page with a stick of compressed charcoal, and then lifted out the light areas with an eraser. It didn’t lift out very cleanly though, so there’s a textured grey tone throughout. I think this charcoal works better for making gestural and expressive marks than a toned background or accurate value definition.

While making this drawing, I imagined horizontal and vertical guide lines to see where elements of the bird lined up, which saved me from making the bird tip forward which I’m inclined to do. But my proportions are a little wonky— the bird’s body should be longer to be in proportion to the feet.