Interesting. I have to admit I'm a little surprised by that. Regardless, it's a great piece. 

I have never really painted traditionally, at least not at this level where anything I've done in high school isn't really much.

nicely done 

I tend to be more muted with my tones as well. Do you do a lot of painting? I feel like that's why I do it, but I'm trying to break myself out of the habit. In any case, this is beautiful.

Amazing!  but I can't really get the emotion :I 

I noticed the sharp contrasts in the eye from the stock photo, but I would start wondering if the contrast would be so strong that it starts looking noisy :I

Great piece. =)

A little bit of contrast within the eye pupil could make it really stand out though. Think how eyes kind of look like galaxies.