I have just started to learn to draw portraits. It has been a couple of months since I started and would love some feed back.
The first portrait I ever drew is a self portrait. The other portrait is my most recent They are the difference of about 3 months work.

Hi
I'm just a begginer myself, but from what I can see you need to put some more values into those portraits, a biger rage of darks and lights will make them stand out.
But they look nice!

Ticia, Kaly is right - come over to the dark side - don't be afraid to push the values, you can always lift out again if you go a little too dark.

Also be careful to measure - one eye is larger than the other in the 2nd pic - just pick a ref measurement (I will often choose an eye width) then measure and find that the head is x amount of eye widths wide, or the nose is 1/4 eye width at the tip. But I always have something I can use to keep me on the straight & narrow.

Hope that helps

we all do portraits differently .....what I see is like they are saying so not be afraid of the dark ...trust us it will help bring life to the portrait ...also remember shapes of a mouth or slant of the eyes if they are off so will the drawing be .....to even get a likelyness of the person will and should always be a good start .. keep up the practice .

You are dead on about the darker values. I have very hesitant to go really dark.Thank you.

Yep I have to work on the contrast. I am trying to do that with my current one.
And the self portrait was the first time I ever tried to draw a face, I was just so excited it looked anything like me I could live with the goofy eye.

I know what you mean about the eyes and mouth that is something I have struggled with. For some reason everyone I draw looks sad or scared. The photos I am working from are of happy people! What the heck??? Thank all of you who have written and given me stuff to think about and work on. Leticia

Light areas are just as important too. They can make your darks seem even darker.

Just a fast observation that I did not see mentioned...check your proportions and the location of facial features. There are many places on the internet where you can get info. on this. Its really important to place all facial parts in their proper spot. Then modify your drawing to look like your subject. I agree that if you push your darks and create a broader value range your drawing will have more contrast and punch. Your drawing is very nice and your shading is excellent. You can take it from very good to fabulous with just a few adjustments. Keep drawing.

Thank you everyone who has replied to my topic. I am using all of your suggestions and working hard. I will post when I finish my current one.

This one is ALMOST finished. What things can I do at this point in the drawing to improve. I know the one eye is too far out but it is beyond my ability to fix it without ruining the picture.
The set of two pictures are from the same photograph the smaller one done in May and the one I am working on now.
The last is the photograph I am working from.

First of all, take a bow, because your latest portrait is great -- you've come a long way since the small one pictured next to it! You did a great job of modeling the features; very good observation is evident.

It's hard to tell from the photograph, but I'd say the thing that can most improve this portrait is some more contrast. It looks like the darkest darks just aren't all that dark. Look at the photo and note which areas are absolutely jet black -- you should strive to get to the same level of black in the drawing. The hair, the lashes, the eyebrows, yes, but also the shadow on the right temple (our left), the shadow on our left side of the chin, etc.

Ok this is my finished portrait.

I really like the eyes.

That last portrait is pretty good indeed! You clearly improved since the first two. The right cheek (our left) looks a bit thick still; but Ernest already noted that and how to fix it.

I'm by no means an experienced artist, but here's what I've gathered so far...

Happy faces are indeed one of the most difficult subjects to draw. The most obvious place for a smile is the mouth, but there are other areas that play a very important role. Pay close attention to the lower eyelid (it's tightened drawn upwards) and the naso-labial fold (the fold of the cheek that runs from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth).

You could try to practice only eyes (from photographs)... if you get it right, you'll be able to tell that they're smiling even without the rest of the face. Good luck!

no critique... just a compliment from someone who is just starting to learn to draw as well... ALL your drawings are GREAT! I hope I am as good after just a few months... keep it up and thanks for sharing

Ticia,
Thank you for sending your work along. You are off to a great start.

The suggestions so far seem pretty much on line as they address the
stronger values. My eye went quickly on both drawings to the hair and
face on the left side of the drawing. I wanted the hair to be darker, for
example, in both.

Your line work is very good and I look forward to seeing more of your good work.

Hawaii Bill

hi.. I am a begginer too. I really like the eyes of your last drawing, I think it is the most important part. Keep it up!

Really good use of shading !!!
Dena

Hi, Your doing really good. Let me point out some markers I use that may help you alittle more with proportions and stuff. If you can see in the picture I drew a triangle from the corner of the eyes to the base of the nose, and a square/rectangle from the center of the eyes to the edges of the mouth. I've used this alot and if you get a magazine you can see that this works on anybody. It's not always perfect but it helps. Somethings to look at are, there is useally about a eyes width between the eyes. The nosterls most of the time line up with the inside edges of the eyes. The ears line up with the brows and the base of the nose. Everthing lines up with something else, there abouts. With practice you'll start seeing it.

Also this helps me. When your drawing someone, don't think your drawing something like an eye, because your not, your just drawing what looks like an eye on paper. It's really nothing more than shades of gray that's all you can produce. That may sound crazy, but I never could draw a portrait when I was trying to draw someone, but when I started trying to draw what some one looked like, it came pretty easy. All in your head.

Your doing good, keep it up and you'll do better in no time. Hope tthis helps.

Hello Ticia,

As for a beginner to draw, not just portrait, but anything infact... its common for people to forget the how much difference it makes if the values are low.
Simple reason is fear of going wrong.

Here is my suggestion... try to draw a black vase or earthen pot on a light background. which preferably lit with only one light.
Now remember you wont hurt the feelings of that vase if it ever goes wrong, =).
while drawing once you get the initial form in place, start the darker area as dark as you can then gradually get towards the lighter sides, maybe you can try using different grade of pencils here.
The point is you have to know whats the darkest tone that your pencils can provide.

By this you'll know the darkest tone available with your pencil. keep that in mind.

then try to draw the b/w portrait again, with the tone values in mind. and don't get scared. if it goes wrong let it go wrong, but complete the drawing, dont leave it half done. its just a learning curve. if not happy with the result draw that portrait again.

i am sure you will do a great job.

just to encourage you, let me tell you something... "Nobody is prefect" one can only get close to prefect in freehand drawing.
and constant practice will only make one better, not the other way. =)

Cheers!