[Chris Saper]

Dear Janel,

I think you have already identified some things you would change with regard to the type and direction of lighting. By using a directional light on yourself, you'll get more light and shadow aptterns, which will make it easier to see and depict form.

I don't exactly understand how your canvas or mixing area was lit, but it might have been that you had too much light on either or both of those surfaces. This would cause you to misjudge the strength of the hues on the canvas, so that in less strong light, the colors would pale.

Yes, I see what you mean about your eyes! I have only painted myself in the mirror about 4 times, and each was fraught with lots of strange artifacts, not the least of which is I am badly nearsighted, and I painted myself without glasses, unable to see anything very clearly after about 6 inches distance. As I recall, I just tried to make the eyes look like they tracked. I'm not sure what the solution to this is, perhaps others can share their tips.

I think you have dealt very well with the edges of the hair, so that the subject is well-integrated into the background.

I would recommend you look at your portrait in the mirror, or do a flip in Photoshop to check the symmetry in your face.

Nice to have you join us!