Chapter Sixty Seven - Practice

Valkyrie Behati

“You’re making it too dark,” Pierre informed me as I shaded a pair of realistic eyes. The white charcoal pen I was using almost turned black from my mistakes.

“Sorry about that, I’m still adjusting to how this pen works,” I admitted before starting over again.

Pierre leaned over, his eyes studying my work closely. He was always patient, always ready to offer advice, but I could see the hint of concern in his expression.

“Try to go lighter with your strokes,” he suggested gently. “This pen is delicate. It’s easy to go too heavy.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath. I let my hand move more lightly across the paper, barely touching it. The charcoal glided smoothly, leaving softer, more controlled lines this time. It felt like learning to draw all over again, but Pierre’s presence was reassuring.

“That’s better,” he said, his voice warm with encouragement. “Remember, you can always add more layers, but it’s hard to take them away.”

I smiled, feeling a bit more confident. “Tha