Character sketches - please critique!

[Musashi]

Hi guys,

I have only just started trying to learn to draw people a few days ago, so I am looking for some pointers.

This first one seems a bit off to me somehow:


This one is supposed to be the same character, but several years younger:


I also did my avatar, but using a vector graphics program called Inkscape. If you could comment on that one as well, yoroshiku onegai shimasu!

[JustAnotherMe]

I think it's nice already for ur first time. Really, u don't want to see my 'first'...

Here's d pointer:
The body shape is 3 out of 5. The thing I mostly annoyed with is d face. It doesn't get d right way. (Sorry if I'm rude, I don't mean to offend u )

If u wanna make a good proportion, u must make d sketch first. It's like a rough shape or a rough layout to help u add d details. I learned ONLY d sketches until I got a proportional shape, d details can wait. U can google the tutorial for sketching. Tracing a pic will b a good start, that way, u learn faster. Try to practice A LOT...that's d only way to success...

[Musashi]

I learned ONLY d sketches until I got a proportional shape, d details can wait.

I'm not really sure what you mean. Is d a special term? Could you give specifics? I'm not actually an artist...

[JustAnotherMe]

sorryy, it's just my bad. I'm used to use 'd' as a substitute of 'the'.
I'm not an artist too, it's just my hobby to draw but I'm kind of a little perfectionist for few things. One of it is my pic. So yeah, I can b a little too harsh if it's about drawings.

[Musashi]

The body shape is 3 out of 5. The thing I mostly annoyed with is d face.

OK. What exactly is it that I can fix?

[JustAnotherMe]

I'm gonna leave in a minute, so I'll give a quick pointer: it's mostly on d chin and cheek. Try to compare ur drawings wth d ones u think is awesome *0* Gonna run now! Good luck!!!

[TsukiShima]

JustAnotherMe is correct, in the first picture, the chin is a bit off, I can see it's a bit pointy and the chin is suppose to be at the middle of the face. The ears are small.
And to be honest, I like your avatar

You already got the basic, but right now don't concentrate on yourself to shading your drawings. Focus on improving first. The good news is, I think this is in your own style, I think you're not copying anyone right?

[Deji]

I thought this may be useful to you:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr.com ... zEVd9rM%3D

Somebody uploaded the whole book, in case you want to look at it (I haven't looked at it yet, so i can't tell if it's good or bad ^^; ), though it's pretty big, file size-wise!
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PFCU3OVV

[Musashi]

@HanaMori:
Thanks! To be honest, I traced someone else's head shape for the avatar, but changed around the hairline and colored it. On the other hand, the sketches are later creations, and are not traced at all.

I'll focus more on practicing the outlines.

@Deji:
I'm downloading it now. The first page you showed me looks really helpful! Thanks!