My exgirlfriend

[mert_yavasca]

Hi,
I made a portrait of her, Nowadays, she has been thinking about leave me. These are hard days, my firend. I put it here, cause I want it lives here forever.
Regards
Photo reference used
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/mert_yavasca/betulportreesas.jpg

And a view from making
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/mert_yavasca/boyama.jpg

[King Kull]

Hi,
Don't be offended, but I cannot see the line where magic of the camera stops and your magic begins.Your painting is so obvious to be a photo,
(yes, you stated it yourself) that is so hard to see author's artistic value.
Why don't you paint it with a photo beside you not under your brush strokes?

P.S. Don't worry if SHE doesn't take you back, you'll find another.
Trust me, world's so great place that there's replacement for everything.

[Vulgar`]

Scribble over her face.. it'll help you move on.

[perineum]

I agree w King Kull. I've learned my lesson regarding paintovers. I think they can help only a little-perhaps if its something you are totally unfamiliar with rendering, y'know, just to get the "feel" down. Otherwise there is the risk of it turning into a crutch.
Dont worry about the woman. Painting will always stay with you, it will never complain or get pissed, you cant catch its viruses, it has interitive save, a history palette, and the ability to invert and equalize. Perfect-(well unless your cpu crashes).