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My advice would be:

• Start with a very light grid: It helps you get the proportions, positioning and spacing right before drawing. And NO, it's not cheating! 😂

• Draw what you actually SEE: Don't draw what you THINK a face should look like. Observe your reference carefully instead.

• Pay attention to imperfections: Eyes aren't always symmetrical, noses have unique shapes, jawlines differ, and tiny asymmetries are what make faces recognizable.

• Start with basic shapes: Establish the overall structure of the head and facial features before getting into the details.

• Avoid over-stylizing: Try not to exaggerate the eyes, smooth out every feature or make everything too symmetrical. That's often what gives portraits an anime look.

• Work with light and shadows: Graphite powder is great for building up darker tones and creating smooth shadows.

• Use a kneaded eraser: It's fantastic for lifting graphite, correcting tones and bringing back highlights. You can use it to pick out lighter areas like the forehead, nose bridge and cheekbones.

• Think about proportions and spacing: The distance between the eyes, the size of the nose, the position of the mouth... Small differences can completely change someone's likeness.

And one last thing: don't be afraid of imperfections! Sometimes those little irregularities are exactly what make a portrait look like the actual person.

Practice, observe and take your time. You'll get there! ^_^

And if you ever need more tips or advice, don't hesitate to ask! I'd be happy to help! ^_^