[Jim Riley]

The background is strong and painterly vs. the high key and flattened figure. This tends to make the subject look as though it was cut out. I notice that you attempted to soften some edges but without darker values in the figure it does not easily connect with background. The alternative, if you want to paint the subject in this manner, is to employ a low contrast/high key background.

A few whiffs of loose hair is fine but you may have over done it. I would suggest keeping less than half including that found on the young man's left forehead.

I commend your willingness to submit to the critique. We all made and continue to make mistakes and only grow by learning from them.

Good Luck