Ann 14 Mar 2010

Hi Bridget, I like the composition you chose for your self portrait. I think you should thin your nose out a little at the bridge and soften (lighten) the dark lines around the lips so they blend into the skin around your mouth. I'm sure portrait artists will jump in and give you some more pointers. Keep going, you're doing well. Nice job on the highlights of your hair BTW!! Ann

Linda Eades Blackburn 14 Mar 2010

Bridget, I don't know if you are working from a photo or from looking in the mirror, but it's not possible to give a critique without seeing your reference. We don't know what you look like.............

If you are working from looking in the mirror, you need to take a photo in that same pose and post it here. It would be best if you put the photo and the drawing side by side...... Also a great tool for you as you will be able to see the differences between the two images.

Bridget McPeck 15 Mar 2010

Linda Eades Blackburn 15 Mar 2010

That's great Bridget.

You're definitely headed in the right direction. Main thing I see here is that there is too much contrast. The lights are too light and you need to lighten the lines around the lips. also the shape of the mouth needs refining.. especially on the right as I look at the piece.

Why don't you try spending just a bit more time on the work? What I mean is don't rush it. Start lightly sketching everything in, then slowly work up the values. Check the overall shape of the face.

The shading on the sides of the nose needs to be wider but lighter........

The thing about heads, or portraits is that you do need to study the anatomy, and practice, practice, practice................... Draw everyone you know....... everyone you see, and have fun while you are doing it! Once people know that you draw people, they will be standing in line to model for you!

croidon herscheid 16 Mar 2010

ur face should b smoother. if u do a pic, its u. may i say that there is somthing 2 do ? its static, like ur life, maybe, me seen an effort. c+ live and paint is a long way 2 go. use it wise.

Mark Adams 16 Mar 2010

Looks like you are on the right track and you know where you are going. I agree with the above posts that it is practice, practice, practice. I have just been trying out portraits and am still learning, but each drawing seems to be a progression from the last and I desire to refine what I am doing and learn new techniques from doing. Sounds like you have a strong desire and urge, which is great for you to carry on and I look forward to seeing some future work by you. The hair in your portrait is excellent! Your shading is pretty good too around the nose and cheeks. The eyes are good and like what the others have said, maybe soften around certain areas. The likeness from the photo is good. I think that you are not that far from tweaking the little bits and refining a bit more and as I have said, I am in the process of doing the same.

Joshua Stephens 16 Mar 2010

Very Nice work! You only need to work on your beginning outline and softening your lines. The bridge of the nose looks as if you drew two straight lines and blended them in a up and down motion, same with the cheek lines. However, I am proud that you have attempted the mouth. I don't think that I could bring myself to draw something that difficult. Keep drawing, and don't give up, you will get better so fast if you try to draw everyday!

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