Overall layout looks good, but I think you have too much screen space for the header. Not necessarily the header itself, but I don't see a need for the negative space around it. Thumbnails should pop nicely once you have finished pieces/color on 'em.
Minor gripe, but I'd like a button to get back to the main page once I've scrolled to the bottom of a project page.
On the header, I'd include a title (e.g. "Character Artist") in a smaller font below your name/ I'd also move the buttons to their own line immediately beneath the title banner, and eliminate the blank space between the selected menu item and the highlighting line. Your e-mail link would be more noticeable if it included the actual address; it also shouldn't be on its own line at the top; more typically, it's placed to the far right of the name.
The white text you've chosen for your name is very glaring, and the light blur around it makes it worse. Presentation is critical, so spend some time choosing harmonious colors for you backgrounds & text; it should be readable, but not blinding.
The white border around the gallery thumbnails is unnecessary.
You should make it possible to click the images for even bigger versions (don't use lightbox, just link directly to the images) and add a name/url to them as well. They are placeholders so names aren't that important yet I guess, but it's something to keep in mind. Other than that I don't have much to say that hasn't already been said.
No real big crits. It's simple and to the point, which is good. I do agree with jStins about the negative space though. You have a <div id="banner-wrap"> which doesn't seem to be used at all and it just taking up space. You could prob get rid of it or make it's padding 0.
Replies
Minor gripe, but I'd like a button to get back to the main page once I've scrolled to the bottom of a project page.
The white text you've chosen for your name is very glaring, and the light blur around it makes it worse. Presentation is critical, so spend some time choosing harmonious colors for you backgrounds & text; it should be readable, but not blinding.
The white border around the gallery thumbnails is unnecessary.