@snakker How do you notice the mistakes so accurately?
when I draw I can kind of intuitively notice that it feels "off" in some parts or that it is wrong but then I fail to notice what the actual mistake is
24.1.25
@snakker
I have been practicing portraits a bit in my sketchbook. I feel like my facial features have a very cartoony look to them. I think I am missing the subtle details that make them look real.
I would really appreciate your feedback
I actually think that for a new observer it can be easier to spot the mistakes because your mind is fresh. When you do something for long enough you tend to get lost in certain details and it can be easy to lose track of the bigger picture. Sometimes taking a little break, zooming out, squinting or flipping canvas can help you notice mistakes
In my profession there’s also a concept o constantly teach that may help here as well: when looking at a picture dont jump to a conclusion (like in dermatology, you dont just look and jump to a diagnosis) in stead, first analyze what you see and try to put it in words. If you feel something is off or not, it may help to try to put in words what you notice is off to help inform you what to fix and also what is right or what to look for
Last figure is looking good, just have to work those proportions a bit. Head construction is looking good. Stylization, outlines (like lip outlines) will make it look less “realistic” if you slowly work up the portrait focusing on construction, proportions and values (like drawing the outlines of where values are in stead of outlines of structures) you tend to get a more realistic result at the lineart phase i feel, but i wouldnt worry about it too much. You can start with a “cartoony” sketch and end up with a very realistic render, just dont get lost in details early on and allow yourself to build on top of it
Cheers
@snakker That is quite a nice way to explain it, thanks that helps alot 
27.1.25
A bit rushed, some days I just wanna draw in my sketchbook and not post anything
29.1.25
30.1.25
31.1.25
I actually really like your more stylized drawings you sure have improved a lot since your early days
These are going very well!, just try being a bit more careful in your initial block in, it doesn't have to be perfect but if you have 2 or 3 lines telling you where something is, you ultimately aren't helping yourself place it. In stead, put on some jazz or something relaxing and take your time in the block in. once you see something is off you can easily erase and modify before moving forward, slow and steady
Thanks I really appreciate the support and feedback
@uggievang
I think the style is a bit of an accident
For the eyes I wanted to focus on the structure so I simplified it into 3 lines for the top eyelid and 2 for the lower eyelid. Guess I made it look a bit too unnatural.
As for the lips/mouth I had an idea on how to stylise it but I held back because I just wanted to make it look like the reference but it never looked good So I stylised it
3.2.25
@snakker I listened to some lofi while drawing this, I definitely think it helped slow down my pace and focus a bit. The work isnt perfect but I think the advice helped
I thought if I practiced the same face it would help me spot repeating mistakes and improve.
I am unsure if I am repeating my mistakes or slightly improving each time?
I think with stylized heads I have a harder time spotting mistakes as sometimes they can have some weird intentional stuff that defies logic XD especially anime, I mean, sometimes they have brows that surpass the limits of the head, mouths with lips that disappear and become a triangle etc etc and it's all just part of the artistic language of that style and well, nothing wrong with that
On these what I do note is sometimes the head is getting bigger or smaller, on 9 I think the forehead is cut back, there is variation in the character's jaw width you can easily tell by comparing 2, 4 and 10 for example, also the chin is changing size and width a bit but this seems like a nice practice to try to get a character down from multiple angles
@snakker I see the problem with the jaw.
I also got some feedback from on the artschool discord saying I should focus on the larger proportions. Putting the subject in a box would help with the bigger shapes, proportions and perspective.
I think the jaw keeps moving because I am messing up the placement of the side plane of the head
4.2.25
Placed the figure in a box to help with larger proportions
I hope it helped my proportions . I do see that that angle of the shoulders is wrong, the right shoulder is more pulled back in the reference
Also
I focused on the silhouette first for this one then drew the details
Really trying to focus on the bigger picture to get the proportions right
I forgot the construction though ,so the details on the inside might be off
5.2.25
portrait, starting to realise my mistakes, My jaws are off because the side plane of the head gets stretched out too much. Key points I need to focus on are the edge of the eye socket where the planes change and the direction of the side plane
In this I focused on the construction then the silhouette, helped me notice that I stretched the side of the head. Adjusted it in the line art
