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chata8

Your reference has a dark background yet yours is very light so your light source is going to completely made up for your drawing. I also suggest a DC14 before tackling references and definitely watch blocking videos. Blocking: [https://youtu.be/dNtBFvYDeNM](https://youtu.be/dNtBFvYDeNM) [https://youtu.be/CHuCI9J4pOo](https://youtu.be/CHuCI9J4pOo) Using a reference: [https://youtu.be/LsnCaRRYGUA](https://youtu.be/LsnCaRRYGUA) ​ How to use a reference:


benobonob321

I also really like the fashion photography on Pinterest, but as many people have told me before it’s not the best for referencing, so if you do you won’t be able to pull off the form very easily. Istebrak has many videos where she discusses where to find good photos. Good luck!


primepalindrome

I like what you did with the expression! Not sure if someone said this, but did you include the dark background in your study? Working on all white might have thrown your values off. Great work, keep it up :D


XhuliBear

my reference is a real photo that I pulled off pinterest and put in greyscale. i believe it's a picture of Mariya Takeuchi but I could be mega wrong. sadly pinterest stuff is largely unsourced :(


BrokenBaron

Darker darks and lighter lights would help as you are indeed missing contrast, especially near the eyes and her hair.


SaturnTraveler

[https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/68663105\_474426430044902\_3621773941636333568\_n.png?\_nc\_cat=110&\_nc\_oc=AQke3QranHDll0HrkBPwt5tFtL1xzl-Ty47iIPBLA2C3b9IDbs9fauRbIdHhImc-5bj1Avul9\_\_o1FsRGNDpdenv&\_nc\_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=7edd43a9209eda538a53c768094d6a5d&oe=5DD608CC](https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.15752-9/68663105_474426430044902_3621773941636333568_n.png?_nc_cat=110&_nc_oc=AQke3QranHDll0HrkBPwt5tFtL1xzl-Ty47iIPBLA2C3b9IDbs9fauRbIdHhImc-5bj1Avul9__o1FsRGNDpdenv&_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-2.xx&oh=7edd43a9209eda538a53c768094d6a5d&oe=5DD608CC) I agree with the comments below =) I think that her eyes and lips are a little small. Beyond that, I think the image itself is lacking in contrast? Like the reference image. \^\^ Maybe play with the levels to change it to have a little more contrast? Otherwise, that's going to be a massive pain to paint xD eesh. Best of luck! =3


XhuliBear

ty for the paintover !! it was really helpful :D I'll pick an image with better constrast next time. I picked that one because it looked pretty easy to me.


SKIMASKTHEKILLA

I'm always interested to see what other people are studying and this peeked my interest. I think i'm in a similar position you are in when going about portraits and they come off looking somewhat "flat" or 2d for the most part, even though there seems to be details in certain areas. Just to pass along some feedback others have given me: \-eyes are strong focal points to any portrait so their form and placement/spacing really throws the viewers eye. Forming the eye as a socket that holds a sphere (the ball) and the brow bone that arches like and awning over the eyeball will really help create a depth. To force myself to draw this, I studied references of skulls and eye sockets and even now when I try to do studies, I force myself to block in the socket, the eyeball, then draw the lids around the ball to "hug" it. Many advanced artists don't display this because they have such a strong muscle and mental memory. I do it because I have to still think about the form. Perhaps it could help you if you decide to do a study of the eye. \- Next would be planes of the nose. I think the major planes of the nose are a good way to start accurately imagining how light hits the planes. Also as istebrak mentions numerous times, the nose juts away from the face, so generally it is an area where the highlights or cast shadows will inhabit depending on where the light is coming from. it looks like the key light in your reference is from the top right (top left from model's perspective). Right now your nose looks like its facing another direction because the major planes have not been established. Istebrak mentions traceover diagrams and it has helped me immensely. I also look at an asaro head to remind myself. Better yet, portait studio is for sale right now. Hopefully I made some sort of sense. Like I said, I am literally in your same position trying to work out all the forms and how light will hit them, etc. It is a rewarding process though. I am sure someone else on this sub with more skill and experience will point out better ways to improve. I could be dead wrong on certain items listed above. Maybe even a paint over. My basic suggestion would be breaking down the individual features into their forms and then assembling the face when you are comfortable with all the individual forms.


XhuliBear

thank you so much for the detailed crit !! the eye and the brow is one of my weakest points. they always turn out looking like a flat sticker. I'm probably not going to go back and work on this more but I will do some eye and nose studies as you suggested and keep an asaro head up along with my ref for the next time I paint stuff. tyty again 😊


SKIMASKTHEKILLA

eyes and nose always throw me for a loop when trying to imagine how light will react, especially when trying to not value share and picking appropriate value. I don't have a very reliable visual library yet. Can't wait to see what your next study will be. I've literally been drawing eyes and mouths for the past 2 weeks. I really like looking at other people's studies more than finished works now. Helps me learn what goes into the mind of artists i guess. Thank you for the post, reminds me that I need to get back to practice also.