your realist style blows my mind.

Utahraptor, quite possibly one of the most badass dinosaurs to roam the planet.

Yeah the fade out technique is really awesome in art pieces. I really like this one! I need to start using the ebony pencil more.

It was my choice of 'tool' in High School. Though it's faults is dulling out after a little bit *Bambi hates sharpening* and shrinkage after too many sharpens. I did get some good technique from it though:

If you want to make ebony pitch black and working on illustration board, dip the tip in terpintine (spelling?).

Use your fingers to blend out for shades. Go soft for light shade, press only a tad harder for darker. If your finger is not blending at all, rub it in circles in the other palm, then try again. If your blending gets sloppy and too much contrast, whip your hands off with a dry cloth. Never wash your hands in this process. It kills the oils in your hand to blend and if not dry all the way, you'll get that wetness on your piece. Ebony acts badly with water.


Example of both: "Gargoyles" http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1651793/
I blended with my finger and the pitch black pints were done in terpentine ebony (look above nose picker's head).