Art First attempt at a gradient mesh portrait

[DBZgirl88]

[color="#004a6f"]We just started learning how to use Adobe Illustrator's gradient mesh tool in my graphic design class. We were assigned to do a portrait, and here is my first feeble attempt (the original photo is on the right and my illustration on the left). I know it still needs some work, but it's really hard to control the mesh when it grts so complex.

[URL=http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=areejobeidsmallgz6.jpg][IMG]http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/4485/areejobeidsmallgz6.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]


And here is the mesh:

[URL=http://img137.imageshack.us/my.php?image=meshva5.jpg][IMG]http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1984/meshva5.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Has anyone else ever used the gradient mesh tool before, or better yet, did a portrait? I would love any suggestions on how to create a better mesh.[/color]

[GTK]

Sadly, when I took a class about illustrator I ended up learning nothing T_T So I have no idea how to offer any real crit.

Props to you though. I can't figure out illustrator for the life of me XP and the image certainly looks interesting. The hat amuses me because the lines sort of mimic the knit fabric X3

I thought I'd mention something about the illustration though. The shadow under the hat? It's a bit too big (I'm not sure how to describe it, actually). It makes it look a bit like the top of the hat is floating away from their head.
It's just a small thing though. It's just a teensy bit too far out.

[DBZgirl88]

[COLOR="#004a6f"][quote name='GTK']I thought I'd mention something about the illustration though. The shadow under the hat? It's a bit too big (I'm not sure how to describe it, actually). It makes it look a bit like the top of the hat is floating away from their head.
It's just a small thing though. It's just a teensy bit too far out.[/QUOTE]Yes, I noticed that and I should definitely fix it. I just didn't have time! I wish I had more time to do this illustration but we were only given a week to do it and I was did most of the work the two days before the due date because I also had other assignments due.

I had done a stupid thing for a first time gradient mesh portrait ands that was trying to put the eyes on the same layer as the face. I ended up using so many mesh lines that I couldn't blend the colors properly down where the laugh lines were.

The hair was pretty difficult to do. My teacher kept shaking his head and tsking when I showed him the photo I was using, lol.[/COLOR]