What is Wrong???

[kelii]

So, i thought it would be a good idea to draw Newt from Aliens, but it's looking like I was wrong. Overall, I'm happy with it, but there is just something wrong with the facial structure. I can't figure it out. Please help me. BTW, in real life the shading is much darker, and is closer to the reference. I just have a bad camera.

[kelii]

Here's a better, more accurate photo of it.

[JeffX99]

IDK...it isn't that bad. You did a great job with texture, detail and modeling.

Where I think things might be off is it feels flat because you paid more attention to surface rather than construction and form in 3 dimensions. Features feel a tiny bit misaligned but I think the main problem is the "flatness".

TBH though I think it's fine for what it is, basically a tightly drawn copy of that still frame.

[reneetaylor]

Its decent. Not the best. I agree, it is flat. I love the textures and the shading. the likeness could be better. Its good though.

[Velocity Kendall]

well, i cant really speak to your technique cos its about a billion times better than any graphite portrait i ever did, but re. the features being slightly misaligned as Jeff said, its really close but i guess we look at faces so much the errors are a lot more visible to the average joe (me) than if youd drawn something less familar like a mountain or fish.

i shoved them around a bit, something easy in photoshop and impossible on paper, see what you think..

[kelii]

Thanks for the help guys! I agree with the misalignment issues. I drew the line art 6 months ago when I was just starting to draw humans again. I should have redrawn the whole thing. Any tips on making it less flat, maybe some way of shading will help?

[JeffX99]

Well...more being aware of the 3 dimensional aspect of the forms. Starting from a solid construction where you have "drawn through" and created solid spherical form and masses as opposed to simple edges and contours. Just takes awareness of that kind of thing which is mainly gained by working from life and seeing/translating from 3D to 2D. Just keep at it! More work from life will help.

[Klaw]

If something feels off, flip it around: if you work digitally just mirror your image. If you are working with physical media turn your work and the reference upside down and check your work that way. If it's too large or impractical to do that, get a hand mirror and check both the work and the reference in a mirror. As artists (and humans) we get used to seeing the work in a specific way, especially if you have been working on a portrait for a long time. Your brain may actually "gloss over" imperfections because of this. This is due to the physiology of the human brain and it's duel nature (analytical side versus creative side) When you look at the image from a different viewpoint you are allowing yourself to perceive it more objectively. As a result any problems should jump out at you. Most artists I think do this, but we often forget to mention it, or why. Maybe you do this, but if not, try it: I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

[Velocity Kendall]

yeah its pretty amazing when you flip an image how your brain seems to see it as a totally unfamiliar image and all the glitches pop right out. weird but super useful.