I think both Camus and Skipper brought up a good subject without knowing it. Appart from Helm's self portrait, I've seen very little portraits that aren't eighther cartoony things or picture traces.
I belive skipper can learn quite a good amont of things with a paint over or trace. but I also thing its very healthy to try and draw from eye. Just as you learn color relation from color picking a photo, you can also learn about proportions bye eyecopying an imagem.
Any ways!!!
Skipper, you image is really nice. I related to your girlfriend as soon as I saw it. I remember both of you from pixelation and I think you did a good job!
I like the colors, and the way you shaded it!
take care,
Kazuya