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The shading isn't really all that great, technique wise; you're not blending it enough so it seems to smoothly transgress from one area to another; especially around the eye area (are you following a reference carefully?)
There also isn't enough attention to details; the shadows shouldn't completely be back if there's that much light.

Ya, I dig the shading actually, it gives the piece kind of an oil-painty look. Her face is a little boxy- and the left shoulder's shading is kinda messed, but nothing too big.

Would love to see you post more- Tom, sketches especially. I always dig your sketch-o-tronic style.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3361/holyballshd4.jpg

I second the professor on the lack of reflected light (right?)...you've got such a bright color for the bg right now it makes s**t look awkward. It doesn't have to be much, something to help define the forms and dramatically give the figure some substance (I suddenly ponder if you're going for something mignola-ish). Speakin of bright colors, you really should either change the value/hue of the hair or the bg, they're so damn close value wise its a hassle on the eyes.


blah blah blahbitty blah

ok so I smoothed out the shading a bit or I hope I did
I added a darker bg and I would like to keep the more dramatic lighting, I think the large dark areas are workin for me on this piece
I tried to round out the breast a bit more but I'm not really sure how round a free-sitting breast would look when it would essentially be lifted by her arm movement hmmm

Took out the hair for now so I can focus on the body and then do the hair and shade to account for that a bit later, idk I like to think in parts
However I give up on her right armpit, the hair will be covering it like it was before sighs

No idea what to do with the hand either so it's not a priority atm

Karolina Kurkova has a wide jaw, and she is my ref
I'm trying to work against the archetypal face and body shape that I'm in the habit of drawing for my women