This is a beautifully gritty work, especially when it is surrounded but your more smoother, polished work. Not to say that this isn't polished but it has a certain filter of grit to it, more around his jaw and forehead than anything else, barring the background. I really like this piece as well, damn sooo many faves.
I think this is amazing! how did you do this, i can see you used digfferent leads for different shades, but you must have some kind of technique that pulls in this much feel!