Hey yes thats super helpful, thanks for putting together that breakdown! Mainly asking b/c I’ve been working off reference photos (graduated off of tracing though after my first few years getting back to sketching).

Trying to figure out what it’ll be like to draw my own stuff and take expressions to the next level like with your sketches. Great stuff please keep it coming!

@xiaolongbae
Expression tips, hmm. It's hard to describe, but I try to not start with portrait form and shape of a face/bust. If I do that, then they come out as neutral / resting face. Like, not starting from an eye and working outwards, or even constructing volumes. In stead, I try to really quickly, messily doodle an expression, then construct on top of that.
As for topics/specific expression, I ask myself "what haven't I drawn recently". Also, going against stereotype: Strong + afraid, old + flirty, frail + confident.
I should maybe do a step by step and / or go to the forum in general. Some good resources there

Ya love the expressions too, would love any tips on how to work on expressions on my own stuff

@xiaolongbae Thank you! Trying to get looseness plus tight form in the right proportions. Not exactly there yet, but I'll keep on with this method

Love these!