@Transilience, It was for a pixel dailies so I don't want to work on it too much(2hrs). Im also using a fixed canvas size for all, 120x160. If I were to add the border, I was afraid it would detract from the piece since I was avoiding the use of outlines, except for highlights.
@Manupix, Thanks, I'm editing the background now, I actually tried to add speculars but it got lost as a texture in the iris. Aside from the speculars, I might also make the iris rounder and put the pupil a little lower.
Love this but the eye itself could be improved. The iris has a weird hollow grainy texture, and the absence of speculars increase the hole-like feel.
I also agree that the white bg is clashing. I don't mind flat bgs, it's needed for AA but a quieter tone would help.
Great colors =)
It's really well done and I like the highlights and shadows, I think that's very realistic. However I only rated 4/5 because the white space makes it look like an unfinished WIP, perhaps if you only intend to do the eye, add some kind of border or remove the white.
I'm not going to happy with anything less that full size! Something to rival Elk!