An attempt...

[daneshm]

Painted this on Photoshop, over the last few days in my free time.... Enjoyed working on it.. hope he wins!

[Hexokinase]

I do like :). The likeness is definitely there.

On a small note, his hairline isn't parallel with the rest of the face (eye line, mouth line, etc.)

Also, the top of his right ear extends much farther from his face than his left ear - not too sure if this was intentional or not.

Good job overall.

[subtle_squid]

the likeness reads, which is the most important thing. The basic pallet is pretty nice too. His flesh could use some more warms and cools. One thing I always notice about obama is that his skin gets very cool and dark around his mouth and lips.

He is also reading a bit flat in this painting. Casting a nice drop shadow from his head will help. His torso has no volume at all. The two halves of his collar are at different angles to the light source so the should be different tones even if both are in the light. One his head you don't have much room to turn the corner from front to side. Drop the contrast on his ears to let them fall back some. Bring in some finer details around his nose, eyes and mouth to help them pop forward.

Also get some reference for the actual shape of a tie. The knot wraps around the length of the tie often bunching it up with a little fold droping down the center. Also I don't think I've ever seen any candidate wear a brown tie. Red and blue are worn almost exclusively. I'm not saying its a wrong choice to make it just makes him look less like a politician.

[daneshm]

Hey... thanks a lot for taking the time for a great specific critique like that, will definitely work on things!! Cheers.

[g.owen]

I would darken his lips and mole. Otherwise, looks good. You did right on the eyes, which usually look a little angry. I hope he does not win - don't believe in Obama-ology.

[artmessiah]

I agree with g.owen about the lips and mole being a little darker. You've definitely captured his intensity tho, really nice work. I respectfully disagree with g.owen in that I hope he Does win. America doesn't need more of the same policies we've had for the last eight years.

[Cory Hinman]

A good job, agree with crits about volume and the tie, but you really captured the spirit of the man, his earnestness and focus.
I also hope he wins, as I am scared to death of McCaininsanity, more than I am amused by McCaininanity.