Looking for some tips and criticisms

[Axeykins]

Just a few character designs and ideas I've come up with for forums. Just looking for some tips or criticisms to help improve them!


[This one's no quite finished] A father(one on the left) trying to bond with his son(right):<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_01/Untitled.png.ab3f7fe4c67ec4cacd8d928bdaf298a9.png" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="39573" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_01/Untitled.png.ab3f7fe4c67ec4cacd8d928bdaf298a9.png" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>


Wolven warrior. Just an experiment on trying fun and different looks for a character of mine: <p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_01/57a8c14a019b7_WolvenWarrior.jpg.2fe7662f62517378cb1e599333b7957d.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="39574" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_01/57a8c14a019b7_WolvenWarrior.jpg.2fe7662f62517378cb1e599333b7957d.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>


Same character as one above, but with his normal appearance:<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_01/End.jpg.4b82b62e1060fe2de6016d692eb7a28e.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="39575" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2015_01/End.jpg.4b82b62e1060fe2de6016d692eb7a28e.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

 

[Mordecai]

I think your art is fantastic! You've clearly spent a lot of time to study the human anatomy and fit it to your own personal style. To me, your style looks like a hybrid of anime and realism, which results in a pretty neat effect. While I think your form and figure is pretty good, it looks like you could use some work on shading (who doesn't?). I would try studying how light affects different objects from different angles. For example, on your Wolven Warrior piece, you have shaded both sides of the nose equally, but didn't shade underneath the shoulder armour. It seemed like it was shaded for the sake of shading, but if you look at the shadows, they really don't make sense with how light really works.


Shading can be a very difficult concept to grasp and very few artists I've seen have a true mastery of it. I do suggest you stand in front of a mirror with a flashlight and look at how the shadows form on your face with the flashlight at different angles and/or using references and really paying attention to the shadows there. That aside, I really liked how you visibly highlighted individual strands of hair in the last piece. I see a lot of people just scribbling in a white bar across their character's hair, but if you look at real hair, you see individual strands highlighted and shadowed. (I'm looking back now and wondering if he just has white highlights in his hair? Either way, it's a nice effect.) Nicely done on your part!


Overall, I think you are a wonderful artist and I'm looking forward to seeing more from you in the future, so, please post more when you have them!

 

[Axeykins]

Thank you so much!


I didn't notice the issues with shading in the Wolven Warrior image until you brought them up. It's a little late to fix them now seeing as it is a finished drawing, but I'll remember to watch the shading more in other drawings and improve that./shading is always a pain master. You've got to get it just right or it looks off/


Your tips and criticism have helped me to see what things could be improved upon and fixed.

 

[Mordecai]

You're so welcome!


I'm glad I was able to offer you some help. Shading truly is a pain in the butt, but it can be fun and challenging to practice. I have no doubt that you'll be able to pick it up quickly. (:


Good luck!

 

[Wreck]

Hey. So in the first picture, my only critique is the father doesn't look as old as I think you were going for. He almost looks like a taller version of the son, but again I'm just on the outside. I don't want to critique too much for an unfinished piece.


The second piece you posted is a very interesting angle, it looks good, and I applaud you for such a feat. The human anatomy is pretty good, but I think it would look cooler with more wolfish features and a background.


Now the third piece is just really awesome. Personally, this is my favorite of the three because of it's gritty and the realism is... of a unique flavor. The shading is dark, and what I find myself to be attracted to more. The way you used the shadow to further enhance the complexity of his neck and clavicle is just... something I long for in other artwork.


The things I'd point out are little things that I'd tell anyone: make the lips softer, and try softening the nostrils a bit to make them more... tangible. The eyes might need to be a bit smaller and further down. Ya know, small things.