So this is the first attempt at painting a mane in photoshop with my tablet. Any critique is extremely appreciated! It doesn't look...right to mean, but I can't figure out why...

https://prntscr.com/g592z8 

 i think, if this is your first attempt, its absolutely beautiful, i wish i could say this was my first attempt, i would go ahead and finish off the forelock with a smaller brush and add in some 'wisps' just so its not so straight and blunt. your hi/low lights look great!, it looks like a natural mix. your main at the crest, you can see a couple strands where you didnt go with the shape, but thats a very small detail! im just floored this is your first mane xD really its that good!

For a First drawing this is amazing!

what stands out for me other than the wisps that phism has mentioned is that I find the forelock to be very straight. I would had a little more curve to it to give it some life and volume. COlouring looks great - but does have that painted mane look (which is kinda in haha) I think you might need to tone down the whites further if you were looking for a more realistic look.

All in all this is AMAZING though! keep practicing! you might find as well that your table has pen sentivity allowing for you do start off with a thick line but end thiner for the end of the hair!

You actually avoided a lot of pitfalls most people fall into at first! It's very impressive. 

I agree with what was said above. Plus adding a little more darker strands. Especially towards the edges of the for forelock and where it parts to give it depth and volume. 

Other than that, dang! It looks pretty good! 

Link Tree

I think it looks really good for your first time!

I think one major thing is that it needs to have a lot of darker strands. Manes and tails on gray horses are usually darker with white pieces, not lighter with dark pieces if that makes sense? I also second the use of a smaller brush :).

 You guys are awesome. Haha 

I probably erased and redid that forelock 10 times. I definitely want to add in darker strands. I prefer a more realistic look than the painted look. I'll have to go back in and play with the colors. Darken it up again and such.

Zad, I have Photoshop elements. I was looking for where to set the size to pen pressure but I'm not sure I can do that in elements. I'll have to keep looking.

Thank you so much for the feedback guys. I'll definitely post attempt two later on this week

 Wow! I love it :D

Paints since 6-8-14