Priest in Progress

[Spartan]

Hi (updates below)-
In an effort to improve my skills, I'm trying to do at least one portrait a week. I got some great advice on my last post (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24730) and I'm hoping to incorporate that feedback into this piece.
Things like
-more modeled forms
-dimmer eye whites

Any thoughts on how to improve this one are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Spartan
http://www.members.shaw.ca/tratree/priest.jpg

::UPDATE::
http://www.members.shaw.ca/tratree/priest2.jpg

::UPDATE::
http://www.members.shaw.ca/tratree/priest3.jpg

[mr.right]

The values have vastly improved and you've really molded that face. I like how you worked it more angular and gaunt. One thing that bothers me though is the composition of foregroung to background. The cross looks like it's coming out of his head. And I really am only sure that it's a cross because the thread is "Priest In Progress."

But feel free to take my critz with a grain of salt; my art is not yet at the level yours is.

edit: just came back to look at it again and noticed that his ears are too small. Before they were covered by the hair but now they are just too small.

[dagreengo]

excellent, i love to see how you molded that guy's face. and i hate to say this, but mr. right is right, the cross looks a bit strange, i like it in the composition, but maybe try to use a real soft brush to blur it up a bit.

[Spartan]

Hey whats up guys -

-Ears in progress - after I nixed the hair, I realized that I had to actually paint the ears. So I procrastinated. :P

-Hair is really rough right now too

-I hear you guys on the cross - it was a quick experiment, and though I like the 'idea', I agree with your concerns. I think maybe a different implementation of the cross will work better...

Thanks for checking it out - I'll keep updating over the next 2 days.
Spartan