Quick work done entirely in Inkscape

Photo-realism done entirely in Inkscape with some filters and contrast done in Gimp

Inkscape

Face done in Inkscape, hair, background, effects added in Gimp

(c) Samuel Nelson

Unless it's part of the style that you're aiming for I think you should have both the hair an the main subject in sharp focus or both blurry. The sharp, crisp lines of the hair really do stand out against the facial details

Not bad! I like the second picture. you propably have to blur more the face, the skin is not smooth. Nice job, however!

OMG!!
The portraits are bleeping awesome
The white shirt on the boy just captivates me. But the details in both portraits are incredible.
Very, very, very good work!!

brynn wrote:OMG!!
The portraits are bleeping awesome
The white shirt on the boy just captivates me. But the details in both portraits are incredible.
Very, very, very good work!!

Uh Brynn, that's my girlfriend..

Very interesting!
I am a little bit curious to see the images before gimp precessing!

Uh Brynn, that's my girlfriend..

OH, I am so sorry! Both portraits are the same person, aren't they ?

But now even more OMGs are necessary, because you're apparently so YOUNG! (I am SO old !) I was thinking she might be your daughter

Despite my faux pas, all the work is still awesome

And I'd say you have an awesome career in your future