Portraits - help, tips, advice please anyone?

[Intbel]

I have been working on a portrait with what you might call 'limited' success.
This is summat with which I need to get to grips.

Any and all tips and pointers would be v. much appreciated from anyone who knows about these things.

I'm not aiming for photo-realism neither am I aiming for a faux painting.
Just a realistic illustration.

I'm focussing upon shape edges - elimination of.

I'll post the image when finished ... meanwhile, here's an eye.