character portraits

[Mermartist]

Hello everyone. New to the forums and somewhat new to this area of art in general. I've done a few character portraits that I consider somewhere in between rough sketch and ready to show. The idea is to keep them loose though, sort of like studies the old masters did. Each one was started in graphite then taken to photoshop and average about 6-12 hours each, depending on how satisfied I am with the direction of the character. I'd love to have some feedback.


http://irev.net/mermartist/talasfoxglove.jpg
http://irev.net/mermartist/DelilahCarniman.jpg
http://irev.net/mermartist/rockgnome.jpg
http://irev.net/mermartist/elf.jpg

and this ones a little different in style, I'm seeing where it takes me.

http://irev.net/mermartist/Andrik.jpg

[Bad Obsession]

I don't know why noone has responded, but I like these alot. 1st and 3rd are my favorite. They have an old-fashioned (old photograph) feel to them that I really like, I guess partially due to the warm backgrounds and somehow throught the facial expressions as well.

The only thing I don't like is the girl in the second work has her elbow cut off...I think it slightly distracts the viewer.