Is that the author of the book who commented? If so very nice.
Re your painting. On the photo the skin color looks too red but I can't tell if that is the photo. Also remember the paintings we saw and how the light caught the skin with high lights. Maybe try to introduce blue shadows for the darks. I'm not sure how but we both have to push the envelope a little to get to the next stage. If we ruin a canvas in the process so be it. I am going to work on my two paintings tomorrow and will keep you posted.