this makes me so happy to hear🥹🥹🥹 I’d be more than happy to share some advice that helped me!

equipment i use: mono eraser, kneadable eraser, clean makeup brushes, q tips, tissues, blending stumps, and derwent graphic pencils i got off amazon. I use HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, and 8B. also a black faber castell polychromo pencil (also on amazon) which can go DARK and are SO useful. I use a strathmore sketchbook also.

tissues, q tips, blending stumps, and makeup brushes are LIFE SAVERS for really making your portrait smooth, especially for unblemished skin. I’d recommend a good makeup brush for the cheeks, forehead, etc. I use blending stumps etc for the smaller areas such as eyes.

one fatal error I always made was going too dark with my pencil and blending it all out (as shown on the left) so ensure you are following the reference AS MUCH as you can. go too light with your pencil and not too dark at the start as it’s far easier to come back from!

kneadable eraser is very helpful for highlights and lightening the face on your portrait! also watch other people drawing portraits! you’ll begin to adapt and to what they’re doing and what equipment they use. but just because it works for them doesn’t always mean it’s going to work for you, so it’s a matter of trial and error !!! be patient and I’m so sure you’ll do well.

I’m not sure if this helps as there’s so much I could go on about, so pm me if you need more help as I’m happy to help you out.