Thanks everyone
 

Thanks everyone for all your help. I am learning so much on this forum, and I'm going to try to participate as much as I can. You guys are great!

Hi Julie!

Not sure if you are still looking for feedback on this sketch or if you've already moved beyond it? First let me say that the most recent sketch you've posted is really improved over the earlier versions - and I think the likeness is much improved and very close - you've been working hard! What struck me most when I put the two images side-by-side (and I converted your reference photo to greyscale for better comparison) was that her nose and to a lesser extent her chin in the sketch looked just a bit too narrow in relationship to the rest of the face.

Hope that helps!
Terri

Thanks for the feedback
 

Thanks, Terri -

I have a long way to go before I am able to analyze all the little details that go into a good portrait, so thank you for lending me your skills. It took me a while of looking back and forth before I could even see what you were saying with the chin, but now I do. Looking at the two pix together, I see a lot of other differences, but it is still hard for me to be able to state in words what the problems are.

One of the best tools I've found for really seeing is this ability to "sight-size" my picture and the original photo using Photoshop. I'm going to use that grayscale mode for the original next time I do a value study.

Haven't gone on yet with the portrait process, due to getting sick again. The next thing is to do some color studies, then the painting itself. I'm taking a long time on this, due to working full-time, getting sick, finding pinholes in the canvas I ordered (wouldn't have known even to look them if it hadn't been for this Forum), deciding to add more coats of primer to it, and just life in general.

Thanks again!