Marilyn Monroe

Hi there, I drew this one for fun, Monroe has always been a favorite of mine. It's the biggest one I have done of her and it's a much younger Marilyn. I will post the wip soon and try and get a goood scan, the digital pic isn't the best. ~Linda

19 x 24 inch Vellum Bristol
2b mech and black Ebony pencils
Blending sticks and tissue
30+ hrs (6 days) edit: 80 hrs total

EDIT:
Wow thank you to all of you that took the time to comment, so many wonderful words, I want you to know I read every single comment, I don't think I will be able to reply back to you all, but know I read all and thank you very much!!

Oh and I should have said this is Norma Jean moments before becoming Marilyn.

Edit: I found out the reference photo was by Laszlo Willinger and since then I contacted the copyright owner Edward Weston and I now have full rights....If anyone is interested this Marilyn portrait is for sale, email me: 1995imaginee@midtel.net

Her hair does look goood, but I didn't get to detail with it, my main focus was the expression on her face and those bright young eyes of hers...I do plan to draw another of Marilyn, just not to sure which photo to render.

To all of you that feel you will never be able to draw like this, well think again my friends, 6 years ago I drew a few Marilyn Monroes and they look nothing like this, I mean nothing. I will post one of them in scraps for you to see what practice, patience, the right tools (paper, pencils, etc), learning from other artists and last but not least believing in yourself can do. Hey if I can do it you can too...