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whimsycatcher β SHERLOCK
Published: 2012-01-13 02:52:07 +0000 UTC; Views: 6322; Favourites: 342; Downloads: 0
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Description
Here be my first proper sketch of Sherlock, spectacularly portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch! Much like Colin Morgan, heβs a unique (unconventionally attractive) face that I canβt help but wanna draw. ; )mechanical pencil (some editing in Photoshop)
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Comments: 74
I couldn't agree more about the attractive face... 
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Glad we have a shared appreciation, haha! Thank you!Β
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Very cool portrait, and lovely technique! Love the coat and the cross-hatched face.
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Thank you very much!
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WEll done! Very detailed and realistic!!!
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Thanks very much!
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no problem!
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Thanks! ^^
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Thanks! : ]
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Very nice work! I love the cross hatching technique, it looks so good here.
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Thanks very much!
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This is shockingly good! Honestly, I try and try to make lovely sketches like this, but they never come out even close to this good. 
If I may ask, I would like to know more about the tools you use. What sort of mechanical pencil is it (size, brand, etc.)? Do you use a kneaded eraser for the highlights or do you add those in with Photoshop? What sort of technique do you use for shading (cross-hatching, blending, etc.)? About how long did it take you to do this piece? Lastly, the shaded areas seem very dark. How do you get them that dark? Do you do that in Photoshop?
Sorry for asking so many questions, but I am very interested in this piece. I understand if you don't have the time to answer them. Thank you, and keep up the great work!
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Long comment is looooong!!! XD
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Oh, hello! : ) Someone else commented on this piece as well with some similar questions, so I hope you don't mind if I just copy & paste a chunk of what I wrote her...
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"... I don't know much by the way of brand names. If they don't smudge or tear my work, I'm happy!
So, for the lines (hatching) showing white, I use the points or edges of a hard eraser. The newer the eraser, the thinner the lines, of course. I actually like to use the edge of a pencil eraser, because I feel more in control of my strokes. I can go through a pack of new pencils that way, because the rims of their nubby erasers only stay sharp for so long! (I trust white erasers more than pink)
I also love using a knead-able eraser, which you can mold into whatever size or shape you need, and it gets a lot off of an area without having to really scrub at your paper. For example, for those round highlights on Mr. Cumberbatch's nose and eye, I rolled a bit of knead-able eraser into a ball and just dabbed and twisted at the spot a few times 'til enough graphite came off.
I started using erasers like this (for highlights) in one of my First Year Drawing classes. The instructor got us to cover a whole sheet in charcoal, and then use an eraser to try and block out an image she projected on the wall. She called the technique "substraction".
Now, as for the dark bits!
For this piece, I only used a regular HB mechanical pencil, because it's easier to erase (and I'm too lazy to keep sharpening XD). Also, this is something I only planned to scan and display online. I often use Photoshop to fix up the drawings I scan (scanners can be so annoying) and I'll take advantage of being able to push the contrast a bit, so that's why the darks here are so... dark. A bit of cheating for presentation's sake! ^^'
But, yes, if I wanted to get some nice blacks for something I'd put up on a wall, or gallery, I'd use a soft pencil, so something in the upper B's - or charcoal! Ah, but do keep in mind that those make it more difficult to erase!
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I think that answers most of your questions! As for blending, I like to use tissue, since I have an abundance of it around, along with Q-tips for little spots. I find that a blending-stump/tortillon will gather a lot of graphite and start making dark marks... but maybe I'm just bad about cleaning them. I also have a habit of using my fingers...
Anyway, about my blending technique, I find that I'll sketch out a part of the picture, smudge over it, and then draw/erase over it in more detail, blend that lightly, and then add even more careful marks... I'll continue like that until I like the texture and tone that's built up. You can almost think of it as the layers of a painting.
Finally, about how long I took, I'm horrible at keeping track... I take so many breaks when it's not actually homework, lol! But I'd say I got this done within 2 days, working at leisure.
Well, thank you for the kind praise! I'm glad this piece inspires you, and do appreciate your interest in my process! I'll be happy to clarify anything that doesn't quite make sense, or to answer other questions. As everyone says, just keep practicing, and it'll be impossible not to improve! So, best wishes! ^__^
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Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions! That was very kind of you. 
Keep up the great work!
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*faints* This is absolutely wonderful...! I so love the shading and the color and the whiteness only on the left... BREATHTAKING! It looks so much like him, but it completely shows your own unique style....!
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Thanks so much, that's lovely to hear!
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You're very welcome! ^^
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Thanks! ^^ Ooh, well that Sherlock emoticon is fantastic!
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Very well done! You have a good way of shading.
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Wow! I love the shading on the face! And his hair!
It's just gorgeous!
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Thanks very much.
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Thank you!!! ^^
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Awesome portrait of Sherlock ! I really like this style
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Oh, thanks very much! ^^ Sorry for the late reply...
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This is utterly incredible - just perfect!
The shading is just...*fails to come up with words*
Wow.
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Oh, such a late reply, sorry! Anyway, thank you so much! Glad you enjoy! ^^
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Thank you! ^__^
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Thank you!
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You're welcome!
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I am right in the middle of a portrait of Mr Cumberbatch but I don't think I want to finish it now. This is... so good. I've seen so much SH fan art lately, but this is quite something else. You've captured him perfectly, yet maintained your own style. And I feel like I could reach out and touch that coat and his fluffy hair. I'd like this on my bedroom wall...
I am having trouble identifying the medium. Is it pastels?
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Ah, no, don't let me stop you! There can never be enough fantastic portraits of Benedict, lol! Well I must thank you for the lovely comment, I really appreciate your thoughts!
Oh, I just used a typical HB mechanical pencil for this. I've had a few people think I've used pastels in my other traditional pieces, though! Maybe it's because I smudge so much? I also use various erasers to put in the white parts and highlights... perhaps that can be mistaken for white pastel? Anyway, I do adore actual pastel drawings, so I'll take it as a compliment! ^__^
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