Megan Fox digital concept painting

[Apotheases]

I've been working on a digital painting of the actress Megan Fox. Aside from making an excuse to look at her pictures, its a challenge for me in terms of my digitial painting skills and time that I put into each piece (I'm trying to get these out faster).

Here is what I got so far and would love some feedback on it. What am I doing right and wrong.

[forrestgump]

i like

[Apotheases]

here is an update on that painting. I'm also adding some hands to her as well to give it more character.

[Quigleyer]

concept like character work?

If so: don't start with faces and close body-shots. Work out some thumbnails and play around with the areas that the clothing will fall and general style things. At least that's how I see a lot of people do it, and I feel it works really well for me.

For the painting I'd have to say you're layering your colors decently and your technique has a good foundation, but look at the paragraph below for other things. I'd also say that her nose looks weird and the muscles connecting with her collar bone to the back of her head look a little thin, or maybe a tad bit too far pronounced.

What you could do at the moment is work more of a difference between your shadow and your light. There's really not much contrast in this image and he head is only framed because she has dark hair.... saves you 9/10 times, but she becomes flat as a result. More form... below is what I mean done sloppily with a multiply layer (think glaze) and soft brushes.

Edit: Just thought... your ref is probably fashion photography.... which by nature has a lot of overblown lights and little shadow. you should probably try for a different ref next time.

[Apotheases]

here is an update on this painting. Might add some beads to her left hand.