To abstain from sin when one can no longer sin is to be forsaken by sin, not to forsake it.

- St. Augustine

. . . . .

Well, I'm not about to try to hide the fact of the matter. I nearly gave up on this piece about four times. I was at the point of wanting to break my stick of charcoal in half and tear this drawing to shreds. This is, by far, one of the most difficult drawings I've done in years. But here it is. Somehow we both survived the ordeal.

A little bit of background: I've always admired Alex (*bionic7) as an artist. Honestly, his work was one of the reasons I bucked up and joined dA years and years ago. This drawing is done from a self-portrait Alex once had displayed in his gallery. To this day I think it's one of the most hauntingly beautiful, oddly tender pieces I've come across. I've loved the picture dearly for years, and that's probably why I wanted to tear it to shreds as I worked on it. Fear of failure, maybe. Fear of disappointment, most likely. (Is it disappointing?) Either way, the piece has been a long-standing inspiration in drawing, in writing... I can only hope that justice has been done.

This is somewhat of a follow-up to one of my most popular pieces, A Prayer For Pardon. [link]

Thank you, Alex, for allowing me to work with you yet again.

And here's to hoping that you all like it... because if not... hell, I don't know. No comment. And speaking of comments, if you don't like it, can you keep it to yourself this time? I might kill you, otherwise. (Seriously. Too much time spent. I'm on the edge of the edge.)

FULL VIEW please! I beg of you!

Charcoal on 90lb paper, freehand.
Original piece: 16" x 20"
Minor curve adjustments and border in PS.
Model: Alexander Casteels aka *bionic7