Thanks, everyone for your nice comments!
And thanks for your input on using magazine, book photos, etc.. I figured it was OK as long as you didn't try to sell them but I guess I figured when you got to a certain point it was best if you worked from your own photos. Could have just been some professor's preferences I took too seriously. Anyway, I am really happy to hear that you all think it's OK since I have that great photo portrait book by Steve McCurry, that I have always debated about doing drawings/paintings from. Now I'm really excited to practice from them!
Devin,
I'm working on getting those close-ups, and hopefully a better quality picture. But my video camera is broken now. (and I don't know what to do!)
But once it's fixed, I'll post some. Thanks for the interest!