Best friend.

You've really caught something here - I've seen less impressive and revealing full colour portraits in oils than this. Amazing what a skilled hand can do with just charcoal, and in this case a preliminary drawing in pencil: I wonder how you got the charcoal and the graphite to cooperate, because they never do when I try it.

Great portrait, agree with Robert about how effective charcoal can be.

Really lovely.

Good one Fen.

What a great piece this is Fen, and how noble he looks!

Super expression beautifully captured in charcoal, a stunner

I'm quite taken aback by all of your supportive comments. Thank you so much.

Re charcoal & pencil combination, it really was only a preliminary sketch with the pencil. I kept it exceptionally light an just did basic outline shapes. No shading. At times one forgets and the mark is heavier than ideal but all are left in place and I find add a certain something even if the charcoal glides across it.

Great portrait Fen.

Like this.