Hi everyone, I'm one of those middle-aged people who's decided to take up drawing again after many years of forgetting I even liked to do it. I have never done a portrait before, but decided to challenge myself a bit. I can see sooo many places that this is off, but I'm happy enough with the likeness to call it finished. I have to, because I will be giving it to the subject tonight! But, I would love suggestions on improvements I can make in the future... though I think it will be a bit before I tackle another portrait!!!!

Editing to add that this is 9x12, 2B, HB, and 2H mechanical pencils and Derwent Graphic pencils on smooth Bristol.
ris

Wow very nice! As you say, lots of little thing that when compared to the original are slightly off, but when hanging on the wall there is no original!!
Only advice I have for the future is to pay very close attention to the eyes. Someone once told me that if you nail the eyes, the rest of the drawing/painting doesn't seem to matter as much.
You did a wonderful job on the textures and value range and I think you subjects will be VERY please when they receive this!
Just wondering, is this all graphite or did you utilize some charcoal for the blacks?

Thank you! It's all graphite, mostly a 2B mechanical pencil on the darks.

I agree with Airscapes. You did a great job and i'm sure they will be pleased. I would like to add though that is more than the eyes. It's also the unique way a person smiles or anything that identified the individual. I would also like to see more contrast in her hair. I would like to see more accuracy in their smiles. But for a first portrait you should be extremely proud.

wow!! first portrait! this is so beautiful..i think you did an awesome job..i put them side by side..that is really good....

for the 1st portrait that is excellent!! I agree with Bob and Airscapes, the eyes, smile and anything else that is very unique to that person should be very well captured, But I think you did a very nice job, they will surely LOVE it.

Thank you, I agree that I was off on some very critical aspects. It's so frustrating! I think I set myself up for some of the problems by not printing the reference picture out. I knew even while I was doing it that I was losing something in translating how I saw things on the computer screen to put them on paper, but most of it is my own failing and untrained eyes. I will keep trying, though!

For all the misses, though... when I gave him the portrait last night, at first glance, he thought it was a print out of the photo!

excellent for a first time portrait ;bravo.

Excellent for an x time portrait too

wow this is a great job for a first try ....even for a second or third .. you have the ability to produce a nice portrait ....even this one with all your frustration is well done ..wonder what your next one will look like ..

you have gotten some good advice ..the only thing I would add is going a bit darker ....like in the roots of her hair ..being they have this already as is I would say its a very very nice job .

Thank you!

Kim, it's funny that you should mention her roots, because I thought quite a bit about that particular area. I hesitated a bit because I think the darkness in the source photo is from her needing a touch up, not the way the light is playing on her hair. And, you can see where I ultimately went with my decision. I know I wouldn't want my not keeping up with dye jobs immortalized! I do agree that overall she needs more contrast in her hair, though.

Also, one of the issues here is the way the light was falling when I took the picture. It's hard to tell, the entire right side of her face is somewhat washed out by how the sun came out from behind a cloud and only hit the right side of her face.