/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

Not sure if this is a normal thing, but why is it so difficult to study/copy real images of people? When studying/copying artists I like, or studying books like Bridgeman, Vilppu, etc. they turn out okay, but when it comes to trying to turn real life images of people, it looks really bad compared to when I was studying other people's works. How would you get out of this?
Also here's a study of Bridgman I did the other night for show.

Okay screw it, I'm doing this, I'm tired of being a beginner. Also how do I stop myself for making the canvas too big? I keep studying stuff but I always accidentally make my studies way too big.
Anyway, here's my attempt at the front page of the book.