Anyone knows a better shading and blending technique other than using make up brushes?

[pale goblet]

blending and shading is never about using cotton buds or fancy things, blending can be mastered by mastering how to ''control'' the shades of your pencil,for me, using makeup brushes or blending stumps to blend ur color, depending on them is just going to turn your art piece into a disaster, and it can mess up with your ''control'' over the pencil, or even paints, blending is all about controling the ''pressure'' of pencil, if u apply more pressure, the color will turn out dark while if u apply feather light pressure, the color will turn out light, usual, to blend, minimal to feather light pressure is ideal(it depends how dark u want something to look)....hope this helps, if you need more help, feel free to reach out < 3

also, the quality of the paper matters too, but you can make agreat art piece even in a poor quality paper if u master the art of control/pressure over your pencil

[rare latch]

I would also say the hardness of your graphite matters too.

Harder lead for lighter color and mapping

Softer/darker lead for depth and contrast

Legit though, you have an amazing command of detailing. This guy looks so realistic and the style is absolute 🔥 🔥 🔥 love the outlined portions like an unfinished water splash

[wanton idol]

Thank you, your advice is very much appreciated. I actually accidentally spilled coffee during the sketch so I proceeded to outline it.

[rare latch]

Stop it!! Seriously! Yo, way to make an accident into art! 👏 👏 👏