Quite an unexpected look to this shot - so granular and there's another quality I can't quite put my finger on - but it looks very much like a painting from a by-gone era.

Grain is spot on. Did you use the 'Alien Skin' plug-in? It's a lovely portrait: textures are rich & deep.

I have to be honest, I'm not liking this so much. I guess I'm partial to super-sharp focus though. I like the composition, but not the effect (or whatever that graininess is).

uh - you mean the mona lisa, perhaps?

yes it does have that bizzare mona lisa stare.

wow. that haunting youthful time in life, in a young woman in particular. You've captured an aura of a world she percieves as filled with both innocence and mystery, reflected in her timeless face. like the masters did so well, your portraits continue to be jaw dropping. :)

Very Pre-Raphaelite in texture. I must admit, it's not one of my favourites by a long chalk, but it's certainly interesting!

Sorry. I´m agree with Jessica. I don´t like this picture. Just one among hundreds.

I do like this one Dave, you obviously went for this effect and i think it works well with her pose. My only criticism is the lack of catchlight in her eyes, making them look a bit dead... maybe you could use your magic skills?

Thanks everyone.

Dave: no, this was done by adding texture to a 50% grey layer set to overlay blend mode. I haven't got it quite right yet, but when I do I'll post some details.

dfp: you're right, catchlights would have helped

I'd have to say I'm the same as Jessica, although this is a nice photo. She sort of reminds of a doll, something you'd see 'in the old days' around Christmas, so it stirs up, for me, a bit of a nostalgic Christmas feeling, which is nice. :) (Hope that all made sense, sorry!)