Thanks for looking and commenting IIaria and Mischa!
Someone else also mentioned the use of cooler colors in the skin tones as well. I'll have time to work on it today, so I'll try it out. I agree with you IIaria about disliking the floating vignette. I don't like them much either, usually, but design-wise I'm not sure I have the skill to pull it off half painted and half drawn to the bottom of the canvas. I'll certainly be thinking about it...
Here is the second of the three guys I'm painting. This one I began last night. He has passed away, and I was only given 2 photos of him. In both he was smiling so large that his eyes are only squints! This one needs lots more work on the face, but here it is so far.
Christy