Some Questions Answered

Here's the latest iteration.  After looking at the image on the computer, I realized it need some changes.  I thought my face looked too flat, so I got out the white paint and added some highlights here and there.  I also brightened my lips.  I realized that the hair looked plastered to my face, so I "styled it away and also added more on top to add some height to it.

Victoria wanted to know my process.  I started with a piece of Roc-Lon Multipurpose cloth.  I adore this stuff!  You can paint on it, sew through it, even hole punch it - and it never frays.  I painted the face with acrylic paints; after it dried, I added shading and details (glasses, lips, eyes) with Derwent Inktense colored pencils.  I fused the fabrics for the clothing and background next.

And the hair??? No one guessed correctly.  It's made from wavy strips I cut from a (new) scouring pad.  I zigzagged the pieces in place at the top only so they can stick out and add more funk.

Someone also asked if there was another photo editing option out there, since they don't have Photoshop.  A great site is Picnik.com.  It's a free photo editing site, though there is a small yearly subscription fee for more advanced features.  On Picnik, use the Posterize feature to replace Photoshop's Cutout filter.  Also try the Pencil Sketch feature, if that's the effect you're looking for.  Hope this helps!