Critiques requested for RPG Character

[Harmony Steel]

Hi :). This is an Everquest portrait I'm working on for a friend, but he looks.. weird.. and I would really appreciate any feedback on improving him. He's meant to be a wood-elf so I have to give him chiselled features while keeping his face masculine.. it's driving me up the wall to say the least :).

Any constructive critisicm would be really appreciated! Feel free to be blunt.

Thanks!

http://www.harmonysteel.com/misc/krom_progress1.jpg

[behemot5]

use this this way (http://www.gameartworks.com/LoomisBooks/heads/page_01.htm) to understand different volumes on a head and more specially this picture (http://www.gameartworks.com/LoomisBooks/heads/lms028.jpg)...
....perhaps you can try to construct the head with bones and muscles ..or look someone or a photography

[Elwell]

Yes, definitely check out Loomis. You have the basic egg-shape form of the head down well, but are having trouble putting the features on it convincingly. For instance, the eyes are sitting in shallow depressions, rather than in actual eye sockets. Keeping a constant light source in mind will help too.

The entire lower jaw and mouth area seem too big, especially for an elf. If anything, they should be slightly smaller than standard proportions to give that refined look. You can compensate for any femininity this creates by emphasizing the planes and angles of the face.

Lastly, you've softened the turning edge of the jaw and chin too much, so that it looks like the head is sinking into the neck.

[Harmony Steel]

Thanks for the feedback :)

behemot5 - Thanks for that link! I've downloaded the book.

Elwell - Thanks for your advice. Good point about Elven features being smaller, I will work on that.