About the constructive crit, it depends on what you're trying to achieve...just an exact replica?

Not so much an exact replica... I jiggled everything around too much for that, anyway, but with the same kinda busy-newyork-jazzy-motion feeling... but impressionist-ish. Blaaah. Tis so early in the morning it's still late at night, and I can't think. I'm not sure that made sense.

Hmm, well there are still a few proportional things you could fix up, like her right shoulder angle even more at a slope than you have it, or the bangs on her hair don't quite cover that much of the face if you look at the ratio. I probably say this a lot around here now, but really look at your positive/negative space relationships to get accuracy; even if it is impressionism. On another note, you can compare where a certain detail is in comparison to another surrounding detail on the image to see if everything is just where it needs to be placed. Think of it as a big puzzle that you're trying to piece together by eye. I'd also keep a good eye out for your contrasts. For example, around the calves of her left leg, you'll see a line of darker greys that you may want to suggest against the surrounding lighter greys. Another one being the amount of very light whites on the windshield on the car behind her (you'll see that in the ref, the trunk kinda even blends into the windshield with its brightness). Basically, if you see a drastic enough color change in a region, capture it. Hope this somewhat helps :)...looking good so far.

It always amazes me what Niel sees when he looks at these. I like this , too.

The only thing that jumps out at me is that her head seems a little too small in proportion to her body and the features of her face are a bit low and small on her head. But that's looking with an eye to realism and this picture can read very powerfully just as it is. When I looked at it I felt a kind of weight on the woman from the huge and busy city. Her face could be a grimace or a smile. Her shoulders seem tensed. The woman in the ref is happy and perky and looks invigorated by her situation. They have entirely different kinds of impact but each is a stong statement.

Thanks so much, everybody... that helps a lot. I'll see what I can do.

my only problem with it, as gorgeous this is, is the lack of detail in the face. she has no mouth! well, at least not that I can see, maybe I should look harder, eh?

I like the lack of definition, it could be any woman in any city, it leaves more to the imagination. Hey, I think I've been there! :)

axil: that's pretty impressive, I can't remember if you've mentioned before, but what's your artistic background?

none to speak of. Just practice and reading and more trying and failing and reading and trying. I had art classes in high school.

someone should grab tidbits like that people post and put them on the wiki

It's possible that she's over-encumbered by the weight of the bag or she's anticipating taking a step.

I think it's more possible that I didn't know that until now and just did it wrong. Or maybe wearing ridiculous high heels screws with the rules of proportion and balance? i know I'm always off balance when I wear them... XP. But whatever. I think rules like that are cool. Thanks.

gig should write the wiki