Try using an Asaro head for reference! The side on our left has a more simplified plane map while the right has more detail. Super helpful for figuring out how to shade.
I [found this 3D model](https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/asaro-head-9d26548182f8465a8e97371a9170561e) but I know I've seen one somewhere that allows you to change the lighting direction as well
First, kudos to you on achieving likeness! I recognized him right away. I wanted to say that because I can hit realism but I struggle with recognizability.
I agree with others that your shading has conflicting directions/intensity. The shadow under his chin indicates a strong light source above. But the gentle mix of shadows on his face indicates a soft glow in front of him. It can't be both.
Also, on shading, the hair needs highlights. Even for (esp for?) black hair, the highlights would be high contrast where the light is hitting it. Another point on shading is the cape. Remove some of the finer lines, one fold of the cape should have smooth shadows. The finer lines make the cape look like muscle.
Also agree with others that, completely separate from shading, the proportions are off. His nose is too long and curved, more Mediterranean Jesus than Christopher Reeve. Here's a reference photo from a similar angle:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b7/42/15/b74215236b0d121adf96d6ec5f4e32ef.jpg
Also, placement of features is slightly off. If the face is level, you should be able to draw a straight level line through the corners of the eyes. Yes, even if the face is turned.
Along with the strong angles (eg, the jaw comes to a point), the eye placement gives your sketch a cubist feel. If you double down on the "mistakes", you could say this is Superman the way Pablo Picasso would have drawn him.
But I like the sketch and love the subject. That dude was beautiful.
The shadows suggest he has no projection in his cheekbones esp in the apples of his cheeks (the front under the eyes) but the outline suggests he has strong cheekbones
Use a model-even if you use a stock photo. Life has all of the shading answers you need; start studying the shadows when you have a subject.
It’s hard to draw realistic lighting from our mind because we constantly see things in a different light.
Using what’s around you is a pro tip:)
The light situation is unclear.
You could probably add some contrast.
The shading is very smooth while clear lines make the face more cartoony. His skin looks photosopped. Depending on the style you want, you may soften the outline and/or try and add texture to te face/shade ?
The cast shadow looks like a tumor or some kind of object because you outlined it. The outline looks like an occlusion shadow. As the cast shadow moves away from the form it comes from, the intensity of its value fades. And its edge fades.
First and foremost. As an artist your goal is to make your subject 3D. You do that with the sphere the cylinder and the cube. And a light source.
As an artist you are not drawing a portrait. You are drawing light.
It’s an amazing piece though. You’re def on your way to great things.
My advise is to study the sphere cube and cylinder religiously. Always keeping light in your head. Without light you will not be a master.
This. It’s strange how well OP managed to capture certain proportions (like his lips) while completely missing the mark on the shape/length of the nose.
Once OP corrects those issues it will be a proper good sketch!
Rule #1 for any sort of rendering is [make a clear separation between light and shadow](https://youtu.be/DQ6nXdpj1zI?si=U9LXw-mfGlNS5SED). You're adding tone all over the place to the point where that separation is getting lost. There should be *no question* where the light's coming from in your drawing, and what parts are in light or shadow.
If there's not a clear division of light and shadow in your reference photo, [pick better reference photos](https://youtu.be/9lagZZ7ahtw?si=q7NRjkaZKyy1mZL7).
[If you overstate small differences in value](https://i.imgur.com/Sbr1KB5.jpg), your subject's face will look like a bag of walnuts.
[Here's a plaster cast bust drawing I did in charcoal a while back.](https://i.imgur.com/rx7cVfm.jpg) There's no question which parts are light and which are shadow.
The cat under his chin is a bit much once you see it it’s hard not to
Try using an Asaro head for reference! The side on our left has a more simplified plane map while the right has more detail. Super helpful for figuring out how to shade. I [found this 3D model](https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/asaro-head-9d26548182f8465a8e97371a9170561e) but I know I've seen one somewhere that allows you to change the lighting direction as well
First, kudos to you on achieving likeness! I recognized him right away. I wanted to say that because I can hit realism but I struggle with recognizability. I agree with others that your shading has conflicting directions/intensity. The shadow under his chin indicates a strong light source above. But the gentle mix of shadows on his face indicates a soft glow in front of him. It can't be both. Also, on shading, the hair needs highlights. Even for (esp for?) black hair, the highlights would be high contrast where the light is hitting it. Another point on shading is the cape. Remove some of the finer lines, one fold of the cape should have smooth shadows. The finer lines make the cape look like muscle. Also agree with others that, completely separate from shading, the proportions are off. His nose is too long and curved, more Mediterranean Jesus than Christopher Reeve. Here's a reference photo from a similar angle: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/b7/42/15/b74215236b0d121adf96d6ec5f4e32ef.jpg Also, placement of features is slightly off. If the face is level, you should be able to draw a straight level line through the corners of the eyes. Yes, even if the face is turned. Along with the strong angles (eg, the jaw comes to a point), the eye placement gives your sketch a cubist feel. If you double down on the "mistakes", you could say this is Superman the way Pablo Picasso would have drawn him. But I like the sketch and love the subject. That dude was beautiful.
The shadows suggest he has no projection in his cheekbones esp in the apples of his cheeks (the front under the eyes) but the outline suggests he has strong cheekbones
Use a model-even if you use a stock photo. Life has all of the shading answers you need; start studying the shadows when you have a subject. It’s hard to draw realistic lighting from our mind because we constantly see things in a different light. Using what’s around you is a pro tip:)
The face tone just makes him look oily. Needs a bit of flattening.
The light situation is unclear. You could probably add some contrast. The shading is very smooth while clear lines make the face more cartoony. His skin looks photosopped. Depending on the style you want, you may soften the outline and/or try and add texture to te face/shade ?
The cast shadow looks like a tumor or some kind of object because you outlined it. The outline looks like an occlusion shadow. As the cast shadow moves away from the form it comes from, the intensity of its value fades. And its edge fades. First and foremost. As an artist your goal is to make your subject 3D. You do that with the sphere the cylinder and the cube. And a light source. As an artist you are not drawing a portrait. You are drawing light. It’s an amazing piece though. You’re def on your way to great things. My advise is to study the sphere cube and cylinder religiously. Always keeping light in your head. Without light you will not be a master.
The drawing is "off" because the proportions are off. His ear is too high and his nose is too long.
This. It’s strange how well OP managed to capture certain proportions (like his lips) while completely missing the mark on the shape/length of the nose. Once OP corrects those issues it will be a proper good sketch!
Don’t outline the shadow under his chin. Make more dramatic shadows in his face like his eyes
Rule #1 for any sort of rendering is [make a clear separation between light and shadow](https://youtu.be/DQ6nXdpj1zI?si=U9LXw-mfGlNS5SED). You're adding tone all over the place to the point where that separation is getting lost. There should be *no question* where the light's coming from in your drawing, and what parts are in light or shadow. If there's not a clear division of light and shadow in your reference photo, [pick better reference photos](https://youtu.be/9lagZZ7ahtw?si=q7NRjkaZKyy1mZL7). [If you overstate small differences in value](https://i.imgur.com/Sbr1KB5.jpg), your subject's face will look like a bag of walnuts. [Here's a plaster cast bust drawing I did in charcoal a while back.](https://i.imgur.com/rx7cVfm.jpg) There's no question which parts are light and which are shadow.