Butterfly

[Wolfsage]

Hi I'm new here (My first post!)
Some amazing work on the forums.

I'd like some crit on an image I've been doing in Painter.
I'm not sure where to go with it...
Keep the backgound adstract or add more detail?

I think I need to add more contrast in the lighting at least...
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/9199/wipbutterfly004.jpg

Here's the original photo:
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2919/smalltortoiseshellbutte.jpg

[Wolfsage]

Hi, I've been working on this recently to practice human faces, I think it's nearly done.
Looking for any advice to help improve the image.

Reference was taken from a TV series by Tony Robinson about climate change. This man lives in the Andes mountains were poverty caused by severe drought is threatening their way of life.

I've tried to capture the desperate hopelessness in his eye's...
What do you think?

http://img571.imageshack.us/img571/1227/wipandeanmanportraitdes.jpg