David,
That's a very generous review, thank you. I used only soft vine charcoal, no white. Two sticks - one about a quarter inch round and one about a half inch round. I also used a kneaded eraser pretty extensively (when I returned from break the squirrels had drawn nuts in her cheeks).
About the lips -- I agree that on our lower left she could use some adjustment, the line is too distinct and could merge with her cheek at that point.
As far as the lightness of the face -- I was using a color photograph as my reference and I guess it was just my judgment. It was something that I thought about. There is a slight toning all across the face, except for a few wiped out highlights on her right cheek, the side of her nose, and above her right eye. I think that the face could easily go a little darker as you suggest. It would have allowed for a greater opportunity for highlights.
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Mike McCarty
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