The smallest little dent, hair or shadow will change a person's face completely. Sometimes I think I've done a decent job, then I lean back and compare the portrait to the photo, or I ask for a second opinion (when you've been staring at the same drawing for a while, it really helps to get the perspective of a fresh pair of eyes). It's important to pay special attention to the details on a person's face. The last two portraits I did, I noticed that changing something so subtle like the thickness of the eyebrows, or eyelashes, or the angle of a shadow, makes a huge difference. You leave one or two of those details out, it changes the person's look completely. Your eye tells you there is something not quite "that person" and then you have to analyze the photo's every detail, be it the shine in the eye, even the size of the pupil or the shadows in their teeth, and if the slightest thing is off, don't dismiss it, fix it! It really does make a difference. Don't think, "There's something missing, something off, but it still looks like them, so I'm going to leave it like this and hope my client doesn't notice". Nope! That's not going to work, find what's "off" now and correct it.
You will become a better artist and you will feel good about it and you will have very satisfied clients who will recommend your work to someone else. I will admit that my work wasn't what it is today. I am gradually improving and that is what every artist should want. It's still not "top-notch", in my opinion, but that is why I keep it affordable.
I would like to add, that if you are interested in a photo portrait from me, know that I will work my hardest to make that illustration as identical to the photo as possible! I do appreciate your input, and if you are not happy, I will re-do the portrait or correct it, if that is possible.
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