I like it, i think it would look even more amazing if you added a blur effect on the sword, it would make even more depth. good job. way to stick with it man.

some anatomyissues in the face, but you worked hard and I think it turned out pretty good =)

Good work. I like it. +8/9

This actually looked a lot stronger in some of the earlier stages of your WIP when, although unfinished, you still had greater variations in tone....it's now looking a little overworked and flat.

Use your pencil to define areas of shadow, use the white of the paper to define areas of light...you had this almost nailed in stage 4 of the WIP but then lost it by stage 5. A common mistake by inexperienced artists is to try and 'draw' (for instance) the skin colour, which looks like what you've tried to do between stages 4 and 5. Don't worry about an objects colour when doing monochromatic work...simply concentrate on using light and shadow to define form.

Look closly at how light hits different materials...you've used the same shading technique and tonal ranges on both the face and the sword...two VERY different materials. Soft materials like skin reflect light softly so smooth transitions between different planes are appropriate...hard materials like metal reflect light harshly so the transitions between planes should be hard edged.

It's all about observation and practise..this is by no means a bad start, keep at it and you WILL improve!...have fun.