I love the hair in the charcoal drawing! It is a puzzle how to express a face with similar freedom and sensitivity.
I'm following your sketchbook method on my first portrait (overlaying a light pencil drawing with transparent acrylic medium). It is helping me to get started. Thanks. Am now considering how to bring the (her) features to life in an unposed way.
Art is a three-way dance, no?--- between artist, audience, and subject. Each with its needs.