[Martin NH]

Hi everyone. This is my first post here, so I'll introduce myself. I'm a 19 years old boy from Denmark, and I've been drawing all my life (almost). I started using the computer for graphics when my family got a mac. I guess I was about 12-13 years old then. I read a lot of comics, and get a lot of inspiration from them. Take a look at my homepage to see what I mean.

The girl on the image below is Jessica Alba from the tv-show dark angel, which I hope most of You know.. for your own sake
It's done 100% in photoshop. I used a photo that I found on the internet as reference, it's not traced. I'm having some difficulties with it.. it dosn't look that much like jessica. This is where I hope You guys can help me

Tell me what You think!



Here's the picture that I used as reference.

[Light]

Its too late to fix now. Thats why working on the sketch is so important.

I wouldnt bother with making it look like her anyway. If you wanted to do that you could just trace it.

But.. the photo does look more realistic.

You need to add some texture to the skin. Notice the highlights you put in. It makes her skin look like plastic.

Notice your darks are muddy but photos darks are sweet.

Notice photo eye brows are transparent but yours look pasted.

Notice jaw line you drew is angular.. Photo is lower and more square.

Notice the angle of the center line of face in photo and notice yours. Check the nose as well.

I dont like the drop shadow either.

....

Advise for this picture:

Touch up the nose and shading. Perphaps desaturate the background some.

----

its not a bad painting really -- shows a lot of talent. Study old masters.

[Bare Bonez]

Sorry, no constructive crits from me - not in any position to be able to help (still learning), but just wanted to let you know that the shading and rendering on this picture is sweet. I envy your skill. I hope more folks help you out with reproducing this photo 'cause you've got lots of talent.

Keep up the good work and you'll definitely improve to what you want to achieve.

[BiTMAP]

It's an ok picture (better then me but) The picture doesn't look quite like the real girl, something is off, i think the jaw bone is to low, and the face to slender, and there is something od with the look in here eye's there is no peirce try to capture that. Also her skin has no texture i know you can texture well by the wall, skin is smooth, but not that smooth, make it a bit dirtyier.

[bearsclover]

I have to say, I am trying really hard not to be royally irritated by many of Light's comments. Especially the "just trace it" BS. Give me a freakin' break. He wants to draw this girl, he doesn't want to trace it. And she isn't going to come over to his house and pose for him so he can draw from life.

I think you've done well, and you have an AWESOME talent, Martin. The thing I noticed about her is that her face is longer than the photo. Also, in the photo, the angles on her face (jaw) are a little less sharp. In your drawing, the face goes off to a slant a little (the features "tilt" to the right). Don't feel bad, this is very common when drawing portraits! I always look at my drawings in the mirror to catch these kind of errors. They are pretty typical.

If this were a pencil sketch or something I might think it would be best for you to start over (just finish rendering this one and call it "Untitled") but with Photoshop, anything is possible!

The shading is very good, but perhaps a little warmer colors in the shadow area would be nice. There are a few more picky details I could bring up, but I'll spare you for now. It'll all start to fall together more when you get the features lined up a little better. And - I'll repeat, you've done a fantastic job.

[Light]

Bear:

Heya, you took my comment out of context! I said "I wouldnt make it look like her anyhow. If you wanted to do that you could just trace it".

People get caught up on making their drawing look like the original too much when its not necessary.

Really, if he ever wanted to sell this picture itd be better to make it look a little different from the photo!!

[bearsclover]

OK, I understand, Light. Glad you cleared that up! I believe Martin had already made it different from the photo, since he added that colorful background.

[Mangled Alecto]

I like this one way better than your second attempt at a Dark Angel pic Martin NH...

ya well said Light about not having to make a reproduction of the original photo...

its always good to stretch out and do what you feel. i have a loose painterly style
and i just felt like painting the girl as she looked.

i put mine in a seperate post, its just under "dark angel" in the work in progress.

anyone want to paint Chloe from Smallville next? If i find a good ref pic of her maybe we could try that on for size.