Definitely not an advanced student, but I wanted to challenge myself and give this a try. The first is before the demo, and the second is after watching the demo. I struggle with seeing the shapes and designing them accurately. I also got lost in some places, and couldn’t keep track of all the values. But I found the demo to be really helpful, and a great practice!

here's my project.

Hello Stan explains the approach in the demo video very clearly and logically. It helped me immensely to follow a red guideline when painting. In any case, I have the feeling that the paintings have become much better after the demo film. Feedback is always welcome... Next time I definitely want to paint the reference picture when it's upside down - I'm already curious to see what the result will look like. I wish you all lots of fun being creative:-)

I made my portrait practice with Photoshop, I hope thats ok, would love to hear your feedback Proko san :D

I did the pear exercise (although I tried a tangerine) and was thinking on only doing that one, but while I was watching this video I stopped around the middle part and decided to try it out in a quick sketch. So this was done fast, the face proportions are not correct (it needs to be longer) but I am getting the gist of simplifying parts of it

My second attempt at the level 2 project after watching Stans demo. It really opened my eyes to the process. I want to do a bunch more of these! It really helps to simplify down to basic shapes and values, especially when it comes to proportions. I love it!

I had thought I would do the Level 2 projects after I completed the course but I decided to go ahead and do the Level 2 Project soon after completing the Level 1. It was quite challenging for me but I am happy with the improvement from the left one done pre-demo, and the right one done post-demo. Proportions are a challenge as is shading, particularly with the lighter shades. Good fun doing this and look forward to learning this until second nature.

Mi primer intento, no me gustó pero quiero avanzar en el curso seguro al final me saldrá mejor

Hi, this is my attempt at the portrait before watching the demo. Find it hard to simplify into 5 values. Couldn't keep track of them and and started placing them intuitively.

after i drew the portrait before the demo, this is the version after the demo. i tried to stay relatively close to the shapes shown there. apart from the proportions, i found the clean hatching especially difficult. nevertheless, i am happy with the result and the exercise was fun.

Hello everyone! After completing the first level, I moved on to the second one. It was great fun, and I can say that I’m happy with the result. I know it can be done even better, so I’d love to hear any advice I could apply in the future. Sending my best regards to everyone. Now I’m off to watch the demo!

don´t feel like im even close to pull this off yet but i tried, so here is my attmpt.

Decided to do level 2. Left side is first attempt before demo, and right side is after demo. Any critique or tips are much appreciated. :)

I'm not attempting this yet, because I want to work my way through the course, and then loop back around and attempt this level 2. My favorite thing about this, was that halfway though, I was thinking... this is my struggle, putting shadows on pencil drawings just makes them look haggard or old... and then I watched the rest of this come together... truly beautiful to watch it unfold, and he looks young again when it's all completed. A masterclass in trusting the process lol.

Second attempt at doing this exercise. It went a lot better but my shading is still  very messy. I also accidentally smudged  some parts using my palm, making the highlights less distinguishable.

It's harder than it seems, but pretty fun!

Coming back to this almost a month after my first attempt. Still not “there” yet but I like this better than before

Kinda rushed the shading and lost some hard edges

My self-critique is that I rush things, get frustrated that I'm not just a naturally a gifted artist, that from birth I wasn't born with a pencil in my hand. 😅 I need to remind myself that Rome wasn't built in a day and to slow down. Now the big question! Do I attempt the portrait? 🤔 I hope everyone at the beginning stage like me is enjoying the process 🥰