The evolution of (someone else's) technique

A few posts back I mentioned the Coro workshops that I attended at work. Aside from the painting I posted there was also a workshop on Coro's own technique for sketchbook drawings. I wish to god that I can remember the technique. Al I remember is that it had something to do with Gouache, colored pencils, and marker refills. Here is my first attempt...

Ouch, not very good is it? As you can see I really messed up the eyes so I just made them black. Strictly Amateur.
During the process of resizing this image I got up close and personal with the pixels. The texture on this technique actually looks pretty good up close.

I forgot to put something behind this page of the sketchbook so the ink bled through about a dozen pages. That turned out to be kind of fun.

I did another one at home after the workshop.

Still pretty bad but at least I did not screw up the eyes too much. I could have gone with a different color pallet as well.

Next class I tried it again.

Hmm. Not so bad this time. Not the best but definately starting to get the hang of it.

Feeling a little boost after the last one I sketched my next one from a photo of Staff Sgt. Ruben Rivers of the 761st Tank Battalion. This one was going to be great!

Too bad I never got to the actual coloring technique. Sigh.