Rihanna

[afrodcyack]

Well I started this out as a sketch and had it posted on the 'sketches/work in progress' board and just recently I had the time to try and paint it(mind you I've no actual painting skill and I'm color blind). Anyways I got into it and as I progressed I felt like everything was going to shite, and I feel like everything just doesn't look right. So at the moment I'm at odds of whether to add this to 'junk' or try to salvage it. If anyone could give me some advice on where I'm going wrong that'd be great. Reference and sketches added as well. Thanks in advance

[Infinit]

it's all about observation!
your drawing is very much simplyfied
try to add shades early

[Carnifex]

well,the sketch works rather well,although i can tell it's more of a "draw what you see" thing instead of "draw what you see and understand" thing. which means,do you know about the basic face structure,basic arm bone structure etc.?
now the painting though,i wouldn't continue on it,rather go back to the sketch and start again from scratch. one tutorial i always like to pull here is prom's: http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm
i hope it helps you in your journey :)

[afrodcyack]

Thanks guys, I'm gonna keep working and practicing as much as I can because I know I need it. I'll try to get some better works to show if I have the time.

[Elwell]

The glare in the photo makes it less than ideal reference to paint from. Either you try to reproduce it exactly, in which case you are copying a photographic rather than visual phenomenon, or you try to correct for it, which you simply don't have enough skill and experience to do yet.

[vitaliyvladimirov]

i think you have something interesting in the sketch there, just refine it, and make sure the anatomy/proportions are correct. :) Maybe don't even use that reference photo.. but instead an anatomy book... mostly those promotional images are often photoshopped to death.

[afrodcyack]

Hey guys thanks for the replies. Ya I know I'm not good enough, this is only my 3nd 'painting', so wish me luck. I'm finally trying to take this seriously and learn as much as I can. If anyone could give me any book recommendations or websites that could help me, I'd truly appreciate it. Thanks again :wink:

[vitaliyvladimirov]

You're not "not good enough" :D Personally, websites and books will only take you so far. Have you considered taking any art related classes?

[afrodcyack]

Ya this spring I'm gonna take 2-4 classes but at the same time I have to worry about the video game development courses I'm taking. You think I should take a Painting and a drawing class?