I've been working through the portrait lessons on MedsMap and returning to the same private photograph of my husband after every few lessons, redrawing it to practice whatever I've learned since the previous attempt.
Keeping the subject consistent has made it much easier to see where I'm actually improving. I'm gradually learning to think about the face as connected planes, proportions, value shapes, and landmarks rather than a collection of separate features.
The goal isn't to copy the photograph one-for-one, but to understand the structure well enough that I can stylize it deliberately instead of relying entirely on my usual face-making instincts.
This attempt naturally ended with me covering him in violent purple and blue lighting, because I can only keep up with realism for so long (and the hue sliders are always fun to play with after finishing up a piece)
There is still plenty to learn, but this one felt like a real step forward.
Private reference used and artwork posted with permission.
