@Baldgate: Thanks for the advice. I agree with you and Fedodika. I must admit I didn't put much time into the shirt, and sort of just laid out the values quickly as placeholders. I need to go back in and really define the planes, plus I will heed your advice and add texture as well. I will need to study some examples of other artists' paintings for some guidance.
@Riley Stark: I agree with what you wrote in your first paragraph. After years of sculpting and painting three-dimensionally, I finally returned to drawing, and am venturing into digital painting for the first time in my life. I don't want to waste time and as long as I feel driven to continue studying, I want to learn all that I can. I much rather have my work torn apart (as long as the criticism is creative). I'm here to continue growing as an artist, and I think it is clear that the other members of this forum are in the same boat.
Many thanks for your compliment. I'm glad to hear that I have made some improvements with this effort. I do not recall if I had the opacity or flow turned down, or if I went a little head with the smudge tool. I will be cognizant of both next time though. I have been trying to keep my opacity and flow at 100%. When I did my first few paintings, the way I learned from the course I took, I was keeping the opacity and flow at only 20%. I had since learned from other tutorials that neither has to be lowered at all when painting.
I agree with you about the nose looking too long. I think it should be moved up. I looked at the painting again and then at the reference photo. It's definitely too low. The painting itself is not a good likeness at all, but admittedly, this was more an exercise in painting for me and I needed some subject to look at so I painted my niece. I do plan on trying to do a real likeness of her and my other niece (already promised my brother and sister-in-law I would) when my skills get a little better.
You suggested copying and pasting below the eye, which I tried. I pasted the section I selected with lasso tool in a new layer. And then used the move tool to shift up the layer. I then erased the top section that overlapped the eyes, and repainted the bottom excess (from shifting it up). Is this what you were suggesting, or did you have another method in mind?
You are absolutely right that I need to do some drapery studies. I have no experience painting fabric at all. It would be well worth the time spent on doing some studies. I just need to find the time to do it. That's always the trick.
Thank you everyone for your valuable feedback. I do appreciate your insights.
@Riley Stark: I agree with what you wrote in your first paragraph. After years of sculpting and painting three-dimensionally, I finally returned to drawing, and am venturing into digital painting for the first time in my life. I don't want to waste time and as long as I feel driven to continue studying, I want to learn all that I can. I much rather have my work torn apart (as long as the criticism is creative). I'm here to continue growing as an artist, and I think it is clear that the other members of this forum are in the same boat.
Many thanks for your compliment. I'm glad to hear that I have made some improvements with this effort. I do not recall if I had the opacity or flow turned down, or if I went a little head with the smudge tool. I will be cognizant of both next time though. I have been trying to keep my opacity and flow at 100%. When I did my first few paintings, the way I learned from the course I took, I was keeping the opacity and flow at only 20%. I had since learned from other tutorials that neither has to be lowered at all when painting.
I agree with you about the nose looking too long. I think it should be moved up. I looked at the painting again and then at the reference photo. It's definitely too low. The painting itself is not a good likeness at all, but admittedly, this was more an exercise in painting for me and I needed some subject to look at so I painted my niece. I do plan on trying to do a real likeness of her and my other niece (already promised my brother and sister-in-law I would) when my skills get a little better.
You suggested copying and pasting below the eye, which I tried. I pasted the section I selected with lasso tool in a new layer. And then used the move tool to shift up the layer. I then erased the top section that overlapped the eyes, and repainted the bottom excess (from shifting it up). Is this what you were suggesting, or did you have another method in mind?
You are absolutely right that I need to do some drapery studies. I have no experience painting fabric at all. It would be well worth the time spent on doing some studies. I just need to find the time to do it. That's always the trick.
Thank you everyone for your valuable feedback. I do appreciate your insights.