Let's try for some realism

This is the original image, I really don't know who this is or where it came from; so if someone knows please notify me so I can link it.

As you can see, this is made in a rather different fashion than you might be used to when seeing my art. I figured that if I really want to earn my livings with drawing, I'll need to show some diversity in my work. Which is why I started practising drawing a nude in a much more realistic style than I'm used to. I decided to go for a naked woman portrait, because I enjoy drawing girls and I don't get to do it much these days. I chose to do black and white because it seemed slightly easier to do than a coloured image, and I wanted to make it an enjoyable experience for myself. Starting with something ultra difficult might have made the hurdle too big for me, so I was really happy when I found the source image. I think it's a staggeringly beautiful picture, her face is very interesting and it proved a challenge. In the end it took me about 7 hours (three sittings) to finish, and I am very pleased with it. I made it in photoshop, mainly in one layer using a normal brush and the occasional eraser. I'm so chuffed to bits with this, I didn't expect it to go so well! Well if you'll excuse me, I'll go and behave like the 5 year old I secretly am and show this to all the people I know. *gushes*