Well now that my Islamic pattern journey has ended, here is what was really occupying me behind the scenes, for the last month actually.

Another one of my favourite people, here is my attempt at a portrait of the multi talented Hugh Laurie, the English actor, director, singer, musician, comedian and author. Looking at it when I finished, I said to myself, good try lad but not quite there is it.

It's good but I'm not sure I'd have recognised who it is. Maybe you could put names in spoiler tags

Teapot - good idea. I did try a similar approach once before with my pic of Mick Fleetwood, founder/drummer of Fleetwood Mac. Nobody got it! However, I will use your suggested technique when I post future portraits

OK following Teapot's recommendation of using 'spoilers' to hide the ID of the portrait subject, here is my next (incognito) portrait.

Excellent OMG (as also the previous one).
If I may post a little note, next time you could spend additional time at the end (I know each portrait costs you a LOT of time) to give a more natural skin surface (using a layer on top where to add noise to simulate pores), it is too "smooth".

Diego - thanks for you comments. Actually there is a layer of mottled skin variation included, but obviously it does not appear strongly enough in the final outcome. Still, always learning and always seeking to improve.

Nice work OMG. At first I thought Hugh Laurie was Kris Marshall, an earlier inspector from Death in Paradise.

OMG, I enjoy each one of yours wonderful portraits. I know how difficult it is to get them and more giving, transmiting to each its own presonality. You make it mastering. Congrats OMG.

Wow OMG, I love the expression on the face. Well done
The whole face smiles, the eyes, the cheeks, the mouth.
If you cover the mouth and nose you can still tell by the eyes the woman is smiling

Nidhogg, Issabella and Ella - thank you for you kind comments. Helps me continue on this particular project

The last woman has a glint in her eye and a nice smile - nicely captured and looks lively! As for the skin, it comes across as a bit flat because it doesn't incorporate the lighting of the room/location they are in - these portraits are all pretty much front-lit with a very strong studio light (which is fine, but worth to play with as you go forward).
I would also suggest more touches of other colours in their skin - it comes across as a bit too much beige. Red, green and purple are all colours that belong in (pale) skin like this. Dark brown (like you have in your face shadows), much less than one would think.

This is a cool project and a worthy endeavour, showing solid progress. Keep it up!

Griatch - thank you very much for your comments and recommendations. I somehow knew this was going to be a long journey

Three weeks since my previous portrait attempt but finally I have another one finished. I will again use the 'spoiler' technique recommended by Teapot (above) but one hint is that this talented young lady represents Australia in football and also plays for Chelsea Ladies in England.

Wow OMG, excellent portrait. I recognised her, you have achieved a very good likeness

Great, OMG!
The "chiaroscuro" on the face is excellent.
Congratulations!

Teapot and Diego - thank you both for your kind comments. Not sure who I am attempting next, but probably a male this time.

Quick turnaround this time - a bonus from COVID lock down.

Another Aussie, this time a multi talented guy who is at home on screen or on stage.



EDIT - image modified to accommodate Dinasset's pertinent suggestion in next post. Thanks again Diego

I can't miss an old suggestion of mine (old, because I'm sure to have written it already for one of your nice creations, OMG):
- in the composition the background should be blurred, and the foreground very defined
Otherwise is like to say: hey, people, see what a nice background....

Good portrait OMG and easily recognisable

Teapot - thank you; I appreciate your continued support of this thread