A new colour piece

[JJ McKool]

This is my first time veering away from direct reference with a painting. I like it, but I'm just gonna post it here, because by definition, I'm a beginner as far as photoshop. Tell me what ya think. Did this one surprisingly fast too, so I guess u could call it a speed painting, but that wasn't the intent.

[DavePalumbo]

looking good.

my suggestions: first off, the white bg/white highlights isn't working for me. Give the background some kind of light neutral tone and he'll really pop.

The white highlight on his bicep looks inconsistent with the rest of the arm. I'd say take it down a bit, and take it a bit further on the shoulder and forearm.

and third, his skin could use a little more color variety, looking a little bit bubblegum pink as it is. try making his shoulders and torso a little less saturated, a hint cooler, and work some subtle cools in the face

Were this my piece, I'd also give him a nipple

[JJ McKool]

Thanks, I appreciate it. What's saturated mean? I'm kinda new to painting.

[DavePalumbo]

less saturated would mean more grayed out, or less intensity in the color. I should just say to make sure that your skin in not uniform in color though. Typically the torso is more pale and the extremities more pink/colorful, but none of it's ever really gray. Looking back at this, the image is pretty muted overall, so less saturated may not be the best way to put it. "Shift the tone a bit" would be more appropriate, a touch cooler and a touch lighter.