Vexel help?, Expert advice needed... Options

[anime-essence]

Original image
First vexel - Amy Winehouse
^This is not a finished product; I'm just starting and need help.

Yes I've read tutorials on this process by searching online, here, on deviantart.com, and vexels.net (cannot post because its closing), however I need the expertise of those who have created a vexel before. Any advice would be appreciated.

So I decided to ask those here who have had an on-hands experience with vectoring/vexeling on the basics.

I created the basic lineart, base layers, some details that need improvement such as the hair, earrings, and neck down.
*I really need help with the layers on the face like techniques that will make her look real (shadow/lighting/etc).

I'm a bit lost at the moment and need advice on how to continue/redo the skin - Am I doing ok ay?Changes? Removal? Sucky!!?
How do I layer to make the skin appear real?

If you are knowledgeable please reply, from one designer to another.

[Gigi]

Well you should be comforted by the fact that right now your line-art is good. Adding contrast can be a little scary because you have to jump from a lighter colour to a darker colour, and it can be difficult to make it look realistic and gradual.

A really easy thing to do is to, first of all, use layers that have more contrast, and if you think it looks bad, add an layer "in-between" two layers that looks like it takes up the middle bit between two layers. Fill that layer with the colour from the top layer, and set that layer's opacity to 50%. This will be the mid-colour between the two layers, creating a seamless transition. You can do this multiple times for a vexel for extra realism. I have no idea if that made sense btw.

Yes, I do have AIM and it's on my profile.

Just out of curiosity, how did you determine what colours you used for the skin?