That's very nice!
Yeah I can see there's a lot of work on the hair, you really did a wonderful job there, really!
Maybe some part of his face are too black, especially that area in the center of his forehead... maybe it's too black compared to the side of his face that's shadowed and should be even darker.

But you really captured Gandalf spirit here and I can't wait to see your LOTR's series!!! Especially Frodo and Arwen!!!

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_{"I like painting with graphite", LT - I'm available for commissions, send me a note if interested.}

You think? Because in this scene his face was bloody and dirty. You don’t think I pulled that off? I suppose I could try to blend it better.

Well... the viewer doesn't know that he was dirty and in greyscale it's not so evident... so sometimes we can omit some particulars that are not so relevant and don't help the portrait to be more significant... but it's just my opinion! I continue to do goof so much!!!

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_{"I like painting with graphite", LT - I'm available for commissions, send me a note if interested.}

Well,
I appreciate your honest opinion. I mean who wants to hear how great their stuff looks all the time. We can’t improve without honest critiques, right? I asked on another forum if they think the dark spots are distracting, and if a lot of people share your opinion I’ll think about either removing them or lightning them up, because I think we often don’t realize that our viewers might not know what our intentions are. I know that it is dirt and blood on his head, but it might not look that way to others.

i agree with luca, even though now it does look like blood since you told us, I would have been confused by it. That would really be hard to draw and you did a good job pulling it off. I would suggest though is to emphasize contrast on the butterfly because there are many even tones on it.

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sc

SC,
It's not a butterfly, it's a moth. I'm pretty sure most people who have seen LOTR will realize that. I guess those who haven't seen it may not understand the entire drawing at all.

I am truly impressed with this piece. I think you captured the spirit of Gandalf very well--and all the LOTR characters, for that matter. One thing I love about that movies is that their hair is tangled, they have dirt under nails (except for the elves--and even they get bloody), and most importantly, their hard life shows on their faces. Your Gandalf really shows this.

As for critique about the shading, etc., I really don't agree with it, but then again, I have never had any formal training. In your defense, screen caps used for reference are often in poor condition--bad lighting, etc. (judging by the accuracy and skill of this piece, I assume you used at least one reference). The hair is amazing.

Lastly, this is one of my favorite scenes in the LOTR movies. The score is lovely during that scene. Bravo on this piece!

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"I am neither angel, nor genius, nor phantom..."

i love lotr!
and with the explenation that his forehead is durty, i find it even more beautiful
wonderful job !

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~Natalia

My Website

Very nice job on the hair and contrast/shading. The forehead darkness is a bit distracting but only for a second. The rest carries the peice. Beautiful drawing.

amazing-FANTASTIC job- aha, i feel special cuz i knew it was blood and dirt right away....

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you make it so easy not to like myself..

Kelly