First Post, First Painting, First Hello!

[Eon]

Hey, what's up everyone? Happy New Year to all of you!

I've been lurking here for a while but this is my first post. You've all inspired me to not waste whatever ability I may possess and start drawing again. You've also created in me the desire to improve by quite a bit. You guys just rock the place! And your drive is contagious. This is my first painting, real or digital, after some doodles in Painter. Done using a web photo as reference. About 5 hours in this.

A question about Painter: Why is it that once I put down some types of paints (usually grainy) I won't be able to paint over or smear it?

Critiques, comments, suggestions, constructive trashing and bashings greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[wil.whalen]

Welcome to CA.

If you have reference, post it along with the portrait, so we can see how close a resemblance it is.

As for accuracy, I can't really say right now, but one thing I see is the little brushmarks all over the place. Use a big big brush to lay in your initial shades. Always use the biggest brush you can; little brushes create distracting 'textures' and jagged, unsightly blending.

Treat the hair as a mass, not as individual strands. Block it in and add a few strands so that we know its hair; if you do each strand it will end up looking cluttered.

Keep on practicing and post your ref
_wil