Masked Model
ink, charcoal, and pastel
45.7 x 30.5 cm (18" x 12")

I struggled with this drawing. I made several false starts using charcoal, and then switched to pen and ink to do the basic drawing. Pen and ink can force you to concentrate more on what you are doing, since you know that mistakes are not erasable. However, ink does not necessarily go well with charcoal and pastel, and in this case, when the drawing was sprayed with fixative, the ink lines became more dominant, adding an unintended element to the drawing. This is particularly evident in the area around the eyes, which after spraying took on its current mask-like appearance.

I'm tempted to continue working on this drawing. It would change with more work, but it would not likely improve.