Help concerning potrait

[TheGreatSlayer]

I'm trying to draw a potrait with this picture as reference (before I can try to draw from life, I should first train that I can do this in an adequate time):
http://www.wirschaffens.net/uploads/galerie/tn_pict0713.jpg

The first try was really awful, but nevertheless I'll post it, to show, that I, at least in my opionen improved myself a little

First try:
http://img53.photobucket.com/albums/v163/TheGreatSlayer/Potrait1.jpg

Second one (the ear is in an absolute wrong position :():
http://img53.photobucket.com/albums/v163/TheGreatSlayer/potrait1secondtry3.jpg

Please excuse the bad qualitiy of the photos, but right now, I only can use a bad digicam.
Since ythe pcitures just don't really show the halftones, I hope to primary get some advices concerning how to draw the form of the face and it elements, so that they look like the original.
For thise I'll welcome both exact tipps tips about what didn't got correct in this potrait and how I can train my skill to bring the correct forms on the paper.
Also I'D be glad, if someone would give me some hints, what I shuld practice next and how to improve my skills further (I first will still use only the pencil)

Edit:
The different color papers on the pictures are in reality on both drawings the same white paper. The difference comes form different light and the cam.

[webgirly2k]

I have recently read a book called "how to draw realistic faces" or something along those lines.

In that book they teach you to use a scrap of paper to measure one element of the face that is easy to measure exactly such as the with of one eye. It has to be something with a clear begining and end.

Then you use that measurement to measure other elements on the face. Such as

On the first copy the first thing I noticed was that the space between the nose and upper lip was too small. So you use the eye measurement to measure the lip space and then your proportions are more exact. You also could measure the height of the opening of the mouth. The space where the teeth go. In your second copy the opening is too big. It looks like the top teeth are close. but you show too much of the lower teeth and too much detail. It looks like her bottom lip is open too far.

Anyway, you use this measurement system the same way you use the length of the head to figure out body proportions.

The ear in your first drawing is actually better than your second. The top sticks out too far.

Overall, you did improve alot. The eyes are much better and the nose is alot better. The whole thing overall is just better!

Keep up the good work and try to draw as much as possible.

Good luch and post more revisions.

Traci

[TheGreatSlayer]

Thanks for the crits tracy, maybe I'll try to redraw it this weekend.

By the way, I have real problems with drawing an open month, especially the teeth. maybe someone can share some experiences.

[mk.]

Sprichst Du Deutsch? Wenn ja wuerde das einiges vereinfachen :)

[TheGreatSlayer]

No, that i come from germany has nothing to do with my abilities of speaking the language mk :D

Also schieß los.

[webgirly2k]

I was taught to draw the negative shapes around the teeth first, then add whatever shading is necessary to the actual teeth to make them realistic.:D

[webgirly2k]

When trying to draw a portrait I open the photo in Photoshop and make it grayscale and do a little tweaking to the contrast and brightness. This makes it easier to see the values and basic shapes. It takes out a bit of the information I don't need while getting down the basic shapes and shadiing.

http://img58.photobucket.com/albums/v176/webgirly2k/mid.jpg

http://img58.photobucket.com/albums/v176/webgirly2k/shadows.jpg

http://img58.photobucket.com/albums/v176/webgirly2k/highlights.jpg

Here are some variations to help you see the shadows highlights and shading better. Do you have photoshop?