Ok glitchi- I've got through checking out your other works to get an idea of your level of work. I'll give you a few pointers that I hope can help you out.

Copying a photo is in such a gray area for acceptance under the Artwork Qualitiy Guidelines in the FAQ. But you'll find that some people get away with it. You are already ahead of most by actually posting the reference photo.

Your also going to hear that copying photos aren't the best way to learn. In terms of light and color, I agree. But one thing you can work on is proportions and relations of objects within the piece. Even if you were to forget anything you read in a book, you could use your pencil, a ruler, whatever and measure the proportions of different elements to get an understanding about how the subject matter is created through it's lines/shapes/colors etc. For example. You don't have an underdrawing done, no preliminary sketch and your going straight into the final rendition (not recommended btw). Taking let's say, your pencil...you measure the eye ball and it's is long as the eraser of your pencil to the B of the 2B marking....now you are measuring where to place the nose..and (hypothetically mind you) the bottom of the nose is twice the length of the eye. Go to your paper and measure the length of the eye, then double it. Viola your proportions are matched. This is a lenghty, tiresome, and drawn out method at first, but it doesn't get easier with time.

Another method is to place a clear piece of plastic, overhead projector sheet or something on which you can still see the photo when it is placed on top of the image. Break your picture down into a grid. Let's say 1 x 1 inch squares, which leads to 24 squares total. Now on your paper determine the size you want your piece to be, like 2x and make your 24 square grid with 2 x 2 inch squares. Then just copy it square by square. This method is only good for copying, and teaching you to LOOK at every detail of something you wish to replicate. This will not help you with anatomy and it also tends to make you forget about the picture as a whole.

These two ways are not by far the best way to learn, but are different methods to help you look harder at something before you draw it. Don't sit there and think you are going to draw a face, you are going to draw a series of lines, shapes, with elements of color that when assembled...looks like the face you want. Objectifying is a great way to intimidate yourself, "I can't draw that (insert object here)."

Above all else, if anything at all....DON'T USE A FLASH PHOTO for a reference...I can't think of any kind words to argue otherwise. Your subjects will always look flat and uninteresting.

Keep your passion for art up, your mind open, and keep practicing, if you don't have any books on drawing anatomy, realistic or cartoony I suggest you give up a movie night and pick one up. Hell, just go to a Barnes & Noble and you can sit there all day w/o buying it

im sad.. i always get offensive... why....
well first id have to say.. my 3rd person ever.. and second face ever.. and in the last two weeks they were done... NOw.. with tht said.. and from jst sitting my but down.. opening a pic on the comp.. and drawing wht i see .. tracing with my eyes.. once tought by the great and grand MS.C ..... i think i did a great job doing so... i no im not up the par yet.. but i think my drawings are...

But you say this is only your 3rd person ever so how can you expect people to say it's a master piece? artwork takes years to get to the level some people are at on this site. Wysiwyg is only trying to help you not insult you, if you joined gfx for nothing but pats on the back then you are doing your art for the wrong reasons, just keep your chin up and keep going

wht other reason is there for doing art... its always going to be in my heart.. so theres no need for me to make it jst for myself.. i make it to show others..

You don't get "offensive" comments - people are just pointing out you need a lot more practice to be "in the league". It's all right to show your work; but you're insisting on getting to the "big kids' playground" here, so to speak - so why are you surprised that your work is judged by the big kids' standard?

Besides, if you've bothered to read the rules, which are linked in nice bold type right above the posting form, you'd know that a lot of your work is not qualified for the gallery simply because it's sketches.

Post to the forums - you'll get a more understanding attitude there. Practice, and post in the gallery when you are more competent.

If you took offense to my last post you might want to go to DeviantArt. There you can get all the 'cool' 'nice job' and 'I like your reference pic' comments you can handle. You are very fortunate to have a forum like this around. When I was young and still learning all I had was a stack of about 7,000 comics and a dream. Parents, and friends (at least mine at the time,) were always complimenting and never once told me anything that was negative. IT'S NOT HEALTHY!!! Don't get married to your work. You can't take it personal. You just need time to grow.
I'll have you know my comp crashed as I was writing my original critique, I was going to say screw it, but I rebooted and rewrote those comment to HELP you.

If you ever do this as a profession, your going to have a hard time dealing with clients when if they don't like the concepts you come up with unless you learn to let go...

Who's Ms. C????

its not jst a reference pic.. its something close to me.. the pics jst there for guideing.. otherwise i close my eyes to see wht i want... ms C is my 6.7.8 grade art teacher..

Close your eyes?? Well If blind contour drawing is your thing then go for it, just make sure you include that in your descriptions. I do think however that you need to practice some with your eyes open to get a better understanding of what you are trying to achieve.

im sorry but ur stupid .. really now.. who draws with there eyes closed.. i was jst saying i picture wht i want and then draw it..

wow..now we are down to name calling...I guess ignorance is bliss. Took the time out to try and help....but...Good luck.

This isn't too bad a starting piece, Glitching, not really. At least you've got a fairly good idea of how to place her facial features, and it really does look somewhat like her photo. Wysiwyg offered some really good points. I know how hard it is to hear others judging personal work, but constructive critism really can help you do better next time, and it is what this site's about. Hey, we all start somewhere! Keep trying, and you'll find the more you learn, the better comments you'll get!

I love that piece - glitching, you are just great.This drawing is just highest standart, man. Don't listen to anybody who would critizice it - rather wait for flattery.... There is nothing more you con learn. Rather give us more of your artwork so we can learn from you!

lewiston, i thank you for your comment, but BY FAR do i have anything to teach, the onlything i know is ( trace with your eye not your hand ) and thats all i did, i took this girls photo, and i let my love finish the work


im disapointed with the nose,, and how i couldnt fill the rightside hair... i will redo the image, and this time it will be perfect