Charcoal is the new pencil
 

Or the other way around, anyways, I thought I'd put some drawings up here and see what happens.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...drawings/7.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...drawings/5.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...drawings/4.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...drawings/3.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...drawings/2.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...awings/005.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...awings/004.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...awings/003.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...awings/002.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...awings/001.jpg

Sweet! I love charcoal! Mainly because of the high contrast images you can do with it, dark stuff with lesser strokes, and secondly because of it's grainy aftertaste. Yum.

Are those done from photos? :o I think there are some edges that you probably don't need to have rendered, and some of the shading seen wishywashy while harsh on the other hand. Although most of those are pretty good starts.

You're absolutely right, I use books way too often. I need to draw from live models a lot more.

I love the first one, although it feels like there could be a bit more contrast.
Overall, I love the vintagey quality to your work. For some strange reason, I keep thinking of Fitzgerald when I see these pieces... ='D Anyways, looking forward to seeing more! I don't have much experience with drawing, but from what I've done, charcoal was pretty fun to work with.