Portrait Gem #30
NOVEMBER CHALLENGE 🖤
Bonjour my little demon, ready to collect gem #30?
We are 18,910 😈 in the Portrait Gem Hunt! Whether you just joined or have been here from the beginning, thank you so much for reading.
TODAY'S GEM
If you’re like me and love graphite, you’ve probably encountered this frustrating problem: graphite shine. That reflective sheen can be so distracting it pulls you out of your workflow. But don’t worry, there are ways to manage it.
First, a reminder: graphite is naturally shiny—it’s part of its unique charm. If the shine bothers you too much, switching to charcoal or colored pencils might be better for a matte finish. That said, here are my favorite tips for reducing it:
👉 Don’t press too hard. The shine appears most in dark areas where pressure and heavy layers flatten the paper fibers. Build your shadows gradually with lighter layers instead. It takes patience, but the results are worth it.
👉 Use softer pencils. Stick to 4B, 6B, or softer for shadows and darker areas. These pencils are less prone to shine compared to harder grades like HB or 2B and can give you rich, velvety tones with minimal layering.
👉 Use fixative. A matte fixative spray can help reduce shine and protect your finished pieces.
Graphite was my first love, and learning to work with its quirks is part of the journey. Sometimes, embracing its shine can even add character to your work.
Voilà that’s all for me
See you tomorrow
Léa
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