..my first portrait..

[Soupy]

Hey. This is my first real portrait. I have done quick self portraits and stuff using grids, but this is the first one I have ever done of a girl, and without using a grid. It's obviously not done yet, but let me know what u think!! Thx.

http://thumbs.deviantart.com/300W-96A096/large/indyart/female/Portrait_of_JT.jpg

:chug:

[Atomick]

Before you start drilling down into detail, the biggest issue to resolve is the proportion of the lips; I've never seen someone with an upper lip that short. The pouty-ness could be the reference/model or puffy rendering, not sure...

Also, check those eye sizes and the neck; all look a tad too big. The far eye, which should be smaller than the closer one, is wider than the closer.

Make sure when you go back in, line up each element with the other - draw those imaginary grid lines to check your alignment, it should help a great deal.

[Soupy]

thx for the help!!

[Soupy]

Any1 else?? I'll post the new version soon.

[Nibz]

Thats a good start Soupy. The lips need to be a touch lower and the left eye needs to be brought back into the head a little more. Also go back into it with an erazer to bring out the highlights on the raised areas of the face.

If you are unsure about the proporttions or shading then flip the image. Maybe if you see it in another way it will help you see the areas that need more work. It helps me anyway :)

Also another thing i like to do is try to do the same drawing but looser and faster. It helps me stop being concerned about line placement and tone. You might find that it turns out better. If it doesn't then it only good practice :)