JacquesCousteau said:

Honestly, I have to comment about the first one... this is just some of my own personal design ettiquette.. you don't have to follow it, but it points out explicitly what about your pieces disagrees with my tastes.

Rule #1: Don't put pictures of yourself in your work unless they're stylized so much that they could be mistaken for any number of people.

Rule #2: If you disobey rule #1, atleast don't look right at the camera in somewhat goofy poses.

I don't mean to be rude, but it tries to be so serious that it makes me laugh. 


As for the second one, since it only vaguely breaks rule #1 and abides rule #2, I like that one a lot more. It is also much more centered around the art form and not the image, which makes it more like "bending" rule #1. 

If I offered any constructive criticism for the second one it would be to completely remake it using only paint and canvas. Then it would be awesome.

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thePatient said:

if my photoshop pictures and technique do not approve

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Man..what are you talken about buddy. The fact that your making art is what I find cool. I'm sure we've all made some photoshop self portraits!

Some tips..

...Just do it over and over again until you master the program. You should be using the digital programs as an extension of your design skills and imagination. Maybe the computer will be your sole source of art...maybe it will just be used to enhance pictures like you did, but just use it as a tool and exploit it every way you can.

Start trying to replicate an artist you admire. I remember sitting for hours trying to copy R. Crumb and Mad Magazine drawings. If you draw enough, and love it enough, you will eventually develope your own style and process. It just happens. I don't know if using Photoshop for photo manipulation is your only intent...but try adding some by hand drawings or paintings.

Keep posting your stuff though!