Graphite study from Michelangelo head of a warrior

Today's golden rectangle drawing is from a golden age of drawing, a study I made this morning of Michelangelo's study of the head of a warrior.  

I think he used red conte, and the head is one of a number of small studies on a single page.  That's why it's facing left.  If it were the main subject, it would more probably face right.  But here it probably would be directing our attention to the center of the action.  If you want to study it for yourself, go here

It's great practice, to teeter valiantly on the shoulders of this particular giant, and explore how he modeled the face and how the tilted angle affects the shadows and proportions. See how that invisible eyebrow juts out? and how the lip turns? and the bony ridge above the eye shows as a light area?

It's a good idea now and then, not too often, to copy a master drawing.  It's like replaying a great chess match, where you can understand better the underpinnings, from having walked them yourself.  Your own drawing, or chess, really improves from doing this sort of practice. Better to do it only occasionally so you don't lose confidence in doing your own original work.

I did this in 4B graphite stick, and rubbed with my fingers to soften and model the shapes, then lifted out areas with a kneaded eraser.