Tried to improve my 2nd portrait

The eyebrows are rather heroic - ie, I suspect they weren't quite that thick, but then I didn't see your subject. Keep doing these - you have an interesting study here, there are issues with it .... the nose is a bit free-form, the neck on the left as we're looking at it (his right) isn't quite right (it seems to tuck in a bit under his jaw line, and this also throws the shoulder out a bit) .... but I've seen a lot, lot worse from artists who have far more experience than you. Keep working from life if you can, and if you can't study photographs, other portraits: copying a portrait is a good idea IF you concentrate on the forms and don't get misled into slavishly replicating detail of dress. Portraiture is not easy - it's especially challenging because a portrait that doesn't actually look like its subject isn't really of much use to anyone; whereas you can vary most other things you'd want to paint and still have people believe in them. I like your use of mixed media in this, the thin paint, the pencil work; I particularly like the visible brush-strokes - all you need is practice.

Robert's wise words make much sense, but my feeling Peter is that you should get yourself a good portrait book which demonstrates the basic approach to this incredibly difficult subject. Perhaps one that shows the dimensions and structure of a face (yes, I know that we are all different), but fundamentally similar, and which will give you guidelines as to proportions, bone and muscle structure which is vital knowledge and advice on adding shading from a light source. Your work is showing talent and your enthusiasm is tremendous, just step back a notch and start with the all important basic rules which are so necessary and you will reap the rewards later on.

You have certainly done right Peter it shows continuity and adds depth. Well done

Thanks for all the constructive advice, much appreciated. Can't wait to cook tea,wash up and get in my man cave. Thanks again Peter.

That's the spirit Peter great adventure isn't it