Thanks for the input Frank! I'm glad you liked the metals.
The eyes are painted as engraved and cast. I had thought there might be too much 'whites' as well. I use a mix of light gray and a fleshtone to do the whites of the eyes. I painted the iris using a dark brown ring, a medium brown iris, and a small patch of a slightly lighter brown at the bottom. This was followed by a black dot for the lens and a white highlight. What you see is the second version of the eyes. I originally had the iris larger, but that didn't look right at all; more like a sad puppy. The repainted eyes have a smidge less than a third of the iris still under the upper lid, while the lower portion just touches (maybe a bit above) the lower lid. Although there are variations, that's actually fairly typical.
Overall, the piece is engraved as if it were a portrait of an older and no-nonsense leader with a neutral expression, hence the stare - call it the Light of God - so that's how I painted it.
On another forum, it was pointed out that the lines under the eyes look a bit odd; high cheek bones or really baggy eyes. I am thinking about toning them down a bit to make them less prominent. Then there's the nose. I think it should have more of an outward flare as it goes down to the tip, the nostrils set farther apart, and the tip a bit larger. But that's just me.
All that said, I was pleased with the sculpt and the cast. It's better than a few others I've gotten myself into. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Cheers,
Glen
