A model

[nikotem]

I draw this recently with pencil, and after reworked a little in Photoshop. Of course I used a reference, an not so famous model...

l'll appreciate if you give me some constructive critics. Thank you!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/temnik/Nadica1.jpg

[Slash]

I dont know what you did to make those grainy black areas, but i wouldnt reccomend doing it again. Her mouth is a little small. Her nose is very michael jacksonesque, it needs to be bigger. Other than that i feel that her nose and mouth isnt really connected to the face. Try using some shadows to connect it to the rest of the face. A face isnt flat.

I see now that one of her eye is higher than the other. you need to make them level.

[koroshiya001]

I'd leave the filters out next time, and concentrate more on the actual drawing. other than that, lookin' pretty good, but follow Slashs crits.

[madster]

This piece is moved from CC to SWIPs, because it is a sketch, and not of sufficient quality for CC standards.

~M

[Elwell]

I think it would be helpful to see the reference, along with the original pencil version, before you went nuts with the smudge tool.
Aso, in the future, don't go nuts with the smudge tool.

[nikotem]

Thanx to all of you! You are very helpfull!

[SimoSK8]

i must agree with slash about the eye being higher. I also think that lowering it will "connect" the face together, as you might notice if you cover the higher eye..
.. hmm. i see Jenna Jameson in her.. i think it's the eyes.. (not meaning the croockedness):)

[RandAlThor]

Hi, hope this helps you see some issues, all i have done is move the mouth to the right and widen the nose very slightly. Note that the eyebrows no longer touch the centre line of the nose..
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a1/RobSlee/nad.jpg
Hope you didnt mind, its good practise for me and hopefully useful to you..

[nikotem]

Thanks RandAlThor about your effort, I hope you enjoy that...
But I myself also made some modifications, change the face a little bit, I hope it's better now... And I used smudge again (sorry Tristan, it was inevitable) to correct those grainy black areas, and her nose it's not too small now...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/temnik/Nadica_bulle3.jpg

I'm waiting for your comments...

[nikotem]

Ok, I still don't see any comments on this pic. Is it too well done, and there is nothingto comment?

[madster]

It's better.
It's still not "fantabulous," nor will it ever reach close to that, but it is a nice piece nonetheless.
It's basically complete, and you should start your next piece.
The techniques you are using (smudge, burn/dodge, or other "obvious" PS effects) limit the quality that this piece is going to achieve, unless you plan to work yourself to death over it, which is not recommended.

~M

[nikotem]

Thanks Madster. It's first positive comment I'm getting when I send my works on critique center (although it's always moved here, and comments from professionals like Elwell and you are stopping to show). I really appreciate all comments good or bad, that's the way to learn, right? Even if I'm wrong, I know that I'm right.

[nikotem]

Ok, here's something new...
And yes, It's him, THE MAN IN BLACK (The Legendary Johnny), I used reference, it's just pencil and ink...

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/temnik/Johnny1.jpg

I'm waiting for comments...

[nikotem]

Hey, no comments, YET?
I guess you don't like country music...

[madster]

nikotem, there is this "roughness" to your works, that makes them look odd on the screen. With the woman, it was her eyes and lips that looked the worst with this effect. In your latest piece, this "roughness" is most noticible around the lips and the nose, and the bottom of the chin, extending down into the neck.

Whatever effect you are using to create this, you should really, REALLY stop using it. It detracts from your drawing, and gives an overly textured, and "fake" look to your drawings. Whatever filter effect you are using on your art, stop. Let your drawing skills speak for you, don't rely on fake effects through filter usage.

~M

[nikotem]

But I'm not using any "effect", really. This is just pencil on paper, (maybe bad scan), and with big contrast, nothing else. If you don't believe I'll send you the original scan...
If you have something else to add about the picture pls do, you are the only one to comment my pictures (for this one).

[madster]

Nicotem, looking at the upper lip of Mr. Cash, is your original sketch so "grainy" looking right above the upper lip, and along the bottom of the chin?
I do not think it is your scanner, as when you went back to the girl and used the smudge tool, the rough, almost "sparkle" effect on the eyes and around her nostrils disappeared, which makes me more suspect of the technique, rather than the scanner, although if your paper is heavily textured, that too, could have an effect.

The pattern on his neckerchief is a bit too stark in contrast with the white, and his left side (RH side, as viewed) seems to stop a bit suddenly, shape wise.

I've always liked Cash, and think you've done a good job of capturing his likeness. If we can figure out how to get rid of this odd, almost "sparkley" effect in the pieces you post, I think it will help you get more comments.

~M

[the dime store]

You mentioned upping the contrast a lot after you scan. Oftentimes, overdoing that will generate a lot of noise in your artword.

Be gentle when using "levels" and "curves." If you must tweak your art, do it subtley. Otherwise, M is right, it looks filtery.

And of course, Cash is the man. He looks nice overall, although the chin/jowles area feels strange, maybe too reliant on line.

[nikotem]

Ok, another one, another famous person. Pencils only!

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y144/temnik/Stiven.jpg

You have to find out who is it...

[nikotem]

No comments yet?

[Kanji2000]

Spock??? =P

J/K

Good Job on the likeness...Keep it up...

[nikotem]

C'mon, It's not SPOCK!!! Guess again?

[Bad Brownie]

Steven Seagal?

[Poohgee]

Its an Edgar-suite - right ?

Drawing is in my opinion way too light.
What kind of paper are you using .. it has theses funny horizontal lines .. ?
I think you got it all right - xept that it all needs to be a lot darker.

A background maybe ?

[arechiga_tony]

good stuff

[nikotem]

Bad Brownie - right answer! And thanks to everybody that posted in this thread.