With all the traveling and sketching I haven't done figure drawing for a while. I recently saw a suggestion to do a lay-in with a light marker first, and then using a black pencil for the final result. I like this approach: it allows for corrections without erasing.

I made a short, quick, and dirty explanation about how I approach lay-ins for a different forum. I'll post it here in case someone here will find it useful (or will be able to point to problems with this approach). Here are the pointers: - Use light, thin lines - A good lay-in already has the sense of 3d without any tone - Avoid continuous contours, always look for overlaps - Draw through the form - Think in 3d (study the skull, the Loomis method, whatever else helps) - Make sure the outline has the same feeling as the original (I failed at this step here) - Center lines are your friends - Always check and re-check alignments and basic proportions

I was supposed to create a new post yesterday, but forgot, so creating one a day late. I finished a page of studies of random people. I did a sketch of a teahouse (red), and a sushi restaurant (black). The puppy on top is an interrupted study of a drawing by Maruyama Okyo. It turns out, you need a special permission to sketch in many Japanese museums. I showed the sketch of the sushi restaurant to the waiter, he brought it to the chef, and the chef came out to thank me. It was incredibly emotional for everyone involved :D It makes sketching a good way to make friends and to brighten up someone's day.

Is this wrong or am i tripping? Even if we round the head instead of straight lines

Based on the feedback I received from Chris, I tried using an airbrush for the first time. I repainted the same picture that I had received criticism on.