Could Use Some Advice

[scriptomancer]

Helloooo. I haven't really posted before. I joined the community at launch but, shortly after, I upgraded my OS to Win10 and my tablet refused to work no matter what I did. I have since gotten a new PC and decided to try to make it work and, voila! So, it's been...3.5 years since I painted and I'm way more than rusty.

I actually tried to get my tablet working after all of this time because I am trying to make a game. I wrote the script for a sci-fi visual novel that is psychological horror/suspense and I wanted the art style to be realistic to compliment these themes. I briefly worked with a few artists that didn't pan out, and couldn't find anyone else who wanted to work on the project, so I decided to try to do the art myself.

I've been struggling with realistic painting since long before my OS rebelled against my tablet, but I've been practicing and studying for this project. Here is my WIP of one of the characters...

I spent so much time zoomed in that when I zoomed out, I was so startled by how...weird it looks. Something isn't clicking and I can't figure it out. I am essentially just painting in the dark, trying to find what works, so the piece is a pretty big mess. I would greatly appreciate your advice on what's wrong here and how I can fix it... (and any additional advice you want to give me, I would love to hear it).

Also, I'm not sure if any of you know what a visual novel is or how it works, but I feel like i should point out that the characters are essentially paper dolls that sit over changing backgrounds, so I was trying to find a neutral lighting scheme that will work for everywhere the story takes them.

Thanks for your time!

[oliput]

I think you should first, focus on having good values before putting color on your characters. It definitely helps !

[scriptomancer]

Thank you for your response. Well, I hated everything about that piece I posted... So I scrapped it and redid it. I haven't grasped good values really...but here's the new WIP.

I tried to add more texture to her face with shadows and highlights, but whenever I scrolled out, it looked really strange. Maybe it's a color issue...? Or maybe I just lack technique. I think it's improved over all, but it still seems like it's just "in progress".

[thomastarkotta]

Hi, its looks great. In my opinion are the eyes to small. The nose and the mouth looks great. I also think, that the hairline look to straight.

[liko]

Hi !

Your last one looks better than the first, so your redid wasn't a waste of time

However, it's still a bit flat and pale, I suggest you to add some light, you can use the ColorDodge an ColorBurn tool to add more highlights and shadows to your portrait. Also her forehead looks flat, try to add some texture, and shadow between the eyes, to define a delimination with the nose and the bottom of the face.
Hope it helps, keep going !