No, I'm not picking on you.
-I can tell you're a little hesitant to use darker values, probably becaue of that already dark background you got going there. Everything from the neck down is hard to read, mainly because you only used two values and blended them together. Values are much more important than color, since they define the form of the object.
-Looks like you avoided the fuzzy brushes, though, which is a good sign.
-I can't say I like the color choices. While the background is dark and dull, it still has a maroonish tinge to it, while the sweater is completely grey--they're offensive chroma (how dull or intense a hue is). The hair has the same problem. Overall, you essentially have black-on-black. Remember that in art, colors aren't necessarily meant to completely imitate reality, but to make other colors pop.
-Because of the lack of value contrast on the piece, I can't really tell where, exactly, the light source is. I'm assuming that it's straight on, photography lighting, because of the lighter tones' positioning, but it's not intense enough to merit the overall lightness of the piece.
-Overall, a definite light source and some shadows will improve the work.
I'd post more links, but I think I'll just make a seperate thread and persuade someone to sticky it. <p>
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