Memorial Portrait Piece - Help

itsmaia

So I'm making this memorial portrait drawing/painting of one of my best friends, Rita, who passed away Wednesday. It was a very tragic loss and I still can't believe it happened - to cope, I started to draw/paint my friend using photoshop. I want to make something really special to remember her by - I'll be sharing this with her family and friends.

This is the first time I've ever done artwork using photoshop - I'm a complete newbie.

So I was wondering if anyone could help me out with this.
This really needs to look some what descent - I can't settle for ok, she deserves the best.
I know I can't do just that when it's my very first time drawing in photoshop and I know there are some really good artists here. So if you could spare the time, I would very much appreciate it.

This is what I have so far...



I know it looks terrible - but like I said, it's the first time I've ever done anything like this.
If anybody out there could tweak it or even start from scratch - anything better than what I got, it would mean a lot, for me and for Rita.
Thank You

DeeLock

I'm really sorry itsmaia, a friend of mine passed away recently as well, it's good that you're doing this sort of thing to cope.

I can do a portrait for you if you want...do you have any other photos, perhaps with the light falling on her face with some shadows, something like this EXAMPLE?

It's ok if you don't, you can PM me if you don't want to post a bunch of photos in the thread.

My painting/drawing thread is here if you hate my stuff and don't want me to do it.

sweettooth

thank you so much! here are a couple more photos of her:






do you only do charcoal pieces or do also work with digital art?
anyway - i love your work, your very good! thank u so much!

and if anyone wants to help out and make something - please do, more than one piece would be amazing and would mean a lot to her family, they are having a very difficult time right now, any kind of artwork would give some comfort and happiness to remember their daughter by.
thanks

itsmaia

btw the above reply was made by me - i accidentally logged in using an old username.

but yeah - ive been thinking, if i could gather up all kinds of artwork from different people, anything from sketches, scribbles, digital art, etc. of Rita - i would send it all to her family and friends. it would be a very special and thoughtful act from everyone and something her family and friends would keep and treasure for a long time.

i myself am still going to attempt to draw her out on photoshop - i need to at least make the effort.

thanks

DeeLock

melting_doll

Wow, nice Dee! Don't forget the lovely beauty marks!

itsmaia

OMG
thank you SO much dee! you have no idea how much this means to me
i am at a loss for words - i cried when i saw what you made
it is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!
she was cremated yesterday - it was a very sad and emotional day.
the high school we went to is going to write a page on her, im gonna send them your artwork so they can make it frontpage!

i'm also gonna make a facebook page of her, where everyone can leave poems and videos, artwork, they made. what you made is only the beginning of something beautiful, thank you again! i will make sure to add your name to the artwork and to the school newspaper

and if anyone wants to add any of their artwork, anything, please do if you can

NakedZergling

Dee...that looks beautiful.
Itsmaia...sorry for your loss. Shes was so young beautiful.

itsmaia

yeah - thank you. dee really did a great job, im so thankful

if anyone wants to join in and add their own stuff, that would be great

L.E.O.

hey maia, sorry about your friend. hope u keeping well, talk to u later.

Mustang

Dee you are quickly becoming one of the finest art-dudes on this forum, and also an outstanding guy.