/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

I would say vine charcoal in medium and soft, compressed charcoal, and definitely some charcoal pencils. If you can get some toned paper I'd recommend getting a white charcoal pencil as well to achieve something like pic related. Cante crayons are also commonly used in figure drawing. I believe that's what is being used in the OP picture.

>>3074102
Yes, it works for traditional media - many artists will flood the canvas with a neutral tone that works into their color composition, or classically they'll start with a light wash of raw umber.
It's also useful, because it establishes your mid-tone, and you work up or down to the shadows and highlights.
Sunglasses? No, pencil work is generally not dealing with extremes of value like painting is. You can start working with chalk and pencil on toned paper, like the example. I started doing this in the last figure drawing class I ever took, and it's a lot of fun, and can produce beautiful effects.