pretty pretty pretty great.

It is beautiful, I did not understand what i'm looking at the first time actually, I only saw colorful lights.

Gosh, as always your work is outstanding. Gorgeous colors playing off these gems.

You're a little imp, you know that? :D

Cool work. Great skin tones in this, and such a difficult angle to draw.

Very nice, love those eyes!

I've been meaning to comment on this since I saw it some time after you first posted it, didn't do it just then and since have been too lazy to go looking for it when I was here, which isn't often anymore. Just now as it came up in the Showcase thumbnail strip I realized if I didn't do it now, I might never. You know I've always hated you because I'm so jealous of your talent, and loved you because you're so very real, which is rare. (and because you always inspired me to strive to do better)
This, I believe, is one of your best paintings, because as a self-portrait I see in that expression the Staci I think I've come to know and love/hate here. ;) Along with being absolutely perfect realism, you've done the impossible "capture the expression" thing... something that almost NEVER happens in a portrait. There's depth in those eyes, something fascinating behind them. Some people see that in the Mona Lisa and say that's why it's so upheld. (One major difference there is that I think she's ugly and you're beautiful, so... ONEUP on that one for sure... hah)

I've looked at this a lot of times and been blown away every time. I just now realized what I like about it most, the way you slightly exaggerated the things a camera does when the shot is a little overexposed and the flash is causing it. How the light shows the details in the skin in a way normal vision would never pick up on. And the corona of color around the iris. And the way the hues of the skin tones are uniformly off. It's a great painting of a 'bad' photograph. That and the killer cupid's bow mouth.

yes! you totally get it. this is a HORRIBLE picture, horrible. Bags, blotchy skin and all. if I had a zit that day I would have drawn it in as well. thanks!

Beautiful. Looking forward to no.4. :)

Amazing! I could easily mistake this as a pciture

dangdangdang.

I at first thought it was a pc. of meat, but then realized it is a grapefruit and done very well. Love the way you've done the skin on it. Your coloring is excellent, lovely work.

hehe, on one hand its awesome how realistic you have managed to make the grapefruit, but on the other hand it makes me sick how the glistening pieces of the fruit look... urgh
..anyways, two thumbs up for the awesome display of skill

dang.

I was looking at this and the previous, and a quote from the man who taught me painting came to mind... "big artists use big brushes" I think you would be well suited to making your brush size larger! BTW the man who taught me how to paint is named Max Ginsburg. Brilliant artist.

Very nice, I too hope you finish this. Looking forward to it.

perfect glow of orange.
what a nice idea.
nice nude.

Love the background to it.

This is great, the background much more than the focal.

thank you shults!
and everyone else!

I have trouble getting the skin tones,and the freckles,and subtle coloring right;wonderful.You did it.

what a pure look!

Those eyes are so beautiful. I noticed how excellent the hair looks also. Just a beautiful amazing drawing, so innocent this lil one looks.

I know you do, maria ;)

Wow, this is fantastic! I love the colors and the expression on the face is so... expressive!

yeah,very realistic,yet nice looking too; good reality

So vivid and outstanding my friend >:D

_{This is absolutely magnificent, I love it. Brilliantly outsanding.}

Thank you everyone