Creative Corner

@AboveClouds
Thank you for the advice and critique! I'll work on it XD

@Sky93 Oh, nice art! :D I'm too picky about gjinka designs I never finalise one, haha XD Firstly, try improving your [b]human anatomy[/b]. I'm advise trying to draw relatively realistic humans before stylising. Here is a useful pic I found: [img]https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.QYP95VmhrO1ak_2s1hWsiAEsDe&pid=15.1.png[/img] For the background, note clouds have a more defined shape, often with a flat base and blobby top: [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Cloud_From_Plane_1.jpg[/img] [img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_O6cvLlI-jzw/TEP10U6YzEI/AAAAAAAAAB4/uLoyM1qeX6o/s1600/scan0047.jpg[/img] Sorry about delaying this for a month - was a bit busy for a moment. Hope this helps though :)

@Darkreh Still open! I was just busy for some time :) I'll be talking about this [url=http://www.chickensmoothie.com/oekaki/image/image.php?id=2846920&size=large&format=auto&rev=1497211473]pic[/url] first. I will be targeting [b]anatomy [/b] in the first few dot points: [LIST] [*]Bird wings are more complex than you imagine. Remember that there are different types of feathers in a wing. The pictures below are more angel-related, but they are one of the best references I use to remember bird wing anatomy, and you can apply some of the artist's points to other winged animals: [img]https://68.media.tumblr.com/6a3ed1a4e5aab313a54032f03c238ecc/tumblr_n4tl86NsiV1s8yaxpo1_r1_500.png[/img] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/91/5a/85/915a85e3a97e6f623774abf27c3716f8.jpg[/img] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/88/bf/f5/88bff5f5e1a8e1ee0f6d65afa7ce6531.png[/img] [img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/36c604f6cc942aad1df7fa63fc88d539/tumblr_mfie93Zlj31rhqfm7o4_1280.png[/img] [*] The leg is drawn with wrong [b]perspective[/b]. If you can't find any good references to see the perspective of, consider sculpting something to reference perspective (plus it's fun!) [*] The neck may be too long (I'm not too sure, since I'm more of a dragon drawer). Consider what lies beneath all that fluff [*] Consider using a larger brush for the shadow, as it looks a bit dappled and messy at the edges. Experiment with brush sizes to see what you can achieve :D [*] Overall, the rest of the perspective and main anatomy is spot-on! Love how you achieved so much with so little colour. [/LIST] Alright, let's move on to your [url=http://www.chickensmoothie.com/oekaki/image/image.php?id=2870331&size=large&format=auto&rev=1499187663]second [/url]artwork!: [LIST] [*]I love everything about this! I'm not sure if this is on purpose, but the light draws the attention of the audience towards your main subject, with the shadow lines acting as vectors towards the person. [*] I suggest having a smoother transition between the light and shadow as well, although it also has a nice effect left the way it is. [/LIST] Okay, nice! Let's move along to talk about your [url=http://www.chickensmoothie.com/oekaki/image/image.php?id=2823339&size=large&format=auto&rev=1494254892]third [/url]drawing: [LIST] [*] Outlines are too thick, and can create a messy, rough, simplistic effect. Thinner lineart will probably make the artwork look better. [*] Shading can be elaborated upon. The underside or horns, under the head, and other places can have shadows. [/LIST] Finally, the [url=http://www.chickensmoothie.com/oekaki/image/image.php?id=2693053&size=large&format=auto&rev=1497040346]last [/url]drawing for now: Anatomy is mostly correct, but legs may need some work. Make sure you are not using rectangles as the base of your anatomy, as it can make animals look stiff and unnatural. I drew over your drawing to explain, but it's a bit messy so just ask me if you need further elaboration ;) I host my images on Devaintart but I will take it down as I dislike having art which isn't mine up there (since it feels like I'm stealing your drawing and showing it off). Ping me back once you read this so I can remove it (^_^) [img]http://orig15.deviantart.net/2165/f/2017/214/3/a/3a0ac8cfc5a882edfc8a8f99f829032a-dbikntf.png[/img] Also, a really good anatomical drawing (this one isn't mine, though I wish I can draw this good XD ): [img]http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/Science/data/images/MmBib/VetAnatImg/xlarge/0066x.jpg[/img] Critique all done now - thanks for reading this all!

@Darkreh
No prob! It's great to see you remembered the main anatomy without needing a reference :)

@SuperNinjaDragon im back, what has it been like a year? [img]http://68.media.tumblr.com/11da6092733054b3365217ba78940fbb/tumblr_ot1b0wZrbS1vjvkpho1_1280.png[/img] ignore the light its still a placeholder, a lot of my more recent art i haven't been happy with due to recently having a sudden improvement jump.

@AboveClouds

Murder my art please, it needs it :'D

First one
Second one

Edit: Replaced images with links to avoid clutter

@Saern hey i had a pretty rough time actually putting my thoughts/critique into words so i hope it's still readable and not too bumpy first off although there are some things throwing me off a little i actually really like your style (strong cheekbones is what i'm here for!!) as you suggested i won't be critiquing every singe piece, but rather be pointing out some overall things that may be useful to you! i will however be referring to the second one a little more in depth [b]noses[/b] first thing that threw me a little off was the hatching and the extra line on the nose [img]http://i.imgur.com/0H6kdFC.png[/img] not sure if the extra line is a leftover from the sketch, a separation line from the crosshatching or there to indicate wrinkles, but generally speaking this wouldn't be what a nose looks like on paper :^0 so i gathered some different references for you and also did a small red line/paintover thing to (hopefully) help emphasize what i'm talking about haha [img]http://i.imgur.com/sPIyrKL.png[/img] moving on to the hatching i took a look at your sketch thread and the more i look at your art the more i'm convinced that it's supposed to emulate the (stylized) red/saturated nose - sorry if i'm wrong on this, but i hope you can still take something away form this section ;w; i complied everything in an image since i feel like it's better for understanding things, however if you have any questions feel free to ask! [img]http://i.imgur.com/KXYm3o5.png[/img] i just realized i accidentally made the values a little lighter because i was drawing on a 70% opacity layer haha sorry that wasn't meant to be part of the process [b]facial shape and positioning of features[/b] for me personally it helps tremendously when i can think of things in relation to others and kinda know how things will connect. for instance if i know that the eyebrows are somewhere on the same height as the (starting) outward curve of the forehead i'm less likely to position them wrongly and have something i can rely/fall back on should i dislike my sketch [img]http://i.imgur.com/hXsU29o.png[/img] [url=http://i.imgur.com/hXsU29o.png]direct link for better reading[/url] (some relations may be distorted depending on the perspective that you're viewing the face form) [b]struggles you've mentioned[/b] [sub][i]"But I suppose the biggest thing I wanted some advice on was a) colouring and b) your favourite anatomy refs, because the biggest problems I seem to be facing rn is c) drawing characters facing any other direction than '3/4 view, facing left, nothing below the collarbones' and d) figuring out a colouring style, because it's this weird overly soft and messy thing and I don't know what I'm doing w/ it." [/i][/sub] i arranged them a little differently because some kinda leads up to others hope it's still understandable b) i don't have any favorite references per se, however there are a few things i can recommend! i. [url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/documents/1344503651books/147941.pdf]figure drawing for all it's worth[/url] - something i read as a start up when i got into more realistic art ii. figure drawing sites such as [url=https://line-of-action.com/practice-tools/figure-drawing/]line of action[/url] or [url=http://reference.sketchdaily.net]sketch daily[/url] (there are many more though) iii. observing different references, not necessarily even drawing them, just trying to look at/identify all the different planes, hue shifts, shadows etc. c) honestly there isn't some magical solution to this (i really wish there was haha especially for lower legs) but generally speaking what you'll probably want to do is learn the [b]basics of anatomy[/b] (i'm mostly focusing on simple shapes and how things connect to the body, but use whatever helps you the most/can remember best!), use [b]references [/b]and do [b]figure drawing[/b] which will solidify your leanings by applying them. if you feel comfortable enough or are up to a challenge move away from references for a few sketches! also loosely sketching many bodies helps [me] more than fully rendering one -when i'm not trying to focus on better coloring that is. it's nothing that'll come to you overnight and as you your faces improve your bodies will have to improve as well so you need to be putting as much time (or a similar amount) into learning bodies as you are into learning faces. think of it like this: when you decide to draw it's pretty clear cut that the character will have a head, however you can still decide if you want to include legs, or a torso, so you naturally end up drawing more heads than bodies a) + d) i'm honestly not sure what advice i can give you because there's a lot to coloring that can be said, but here are some short notes that are pretty much all over the place - refrain from using pure back as it makes your image/shadows look muddy - also refrain from using 'pure' greys for large areas (unless doing b&w of course) since it makes it harder to include hue variation > on hue variation: remember that most objects don't consist of the same hue with different values (aka early dodge & burn tool if you remember those times) - instead there are, especially on skin, many different hues with different levels of saturation originating not only from the texture/object itself, but also the lighting - don't be afraid to re-do things you don't like! even if that maybe means erasing a part you already thought was okay - map out, or think about your color palette before deciding on values - also decide on a lighting/mood before you block in colors (however i'd recommend not starting off with anything too fancy unless you're up for a challenge) - don't be afraid to use hard brushes/edges in your coloring especially when there's a shift in planes, forms or objects - always keep the the shape you are currently rendering and what texture it has in the back of your mind also here are some previous critiques i've done on coloring maybe they can also help you out a little :^0 [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1951130/42#post_27705719][b]picking colors[/b] and hard vs soft edges[/url] [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1951130/38#post_27210202]more hard edges and (value) contrast[/url] [url=http://www1.flightrising.com/forums/cc/1951130/32#post_26208711]part 4) creating different planes with shadows & highlights[/url] again studying and observing along with some experimenting for what you like best is probably a good way to approach things? don't forget style is pretty fluid so don't worry about pinpointing your style to a specific way of drawing since it only limits your artistic skill and ultimately your joy in drawing. [this, however is just my own opinion based on experience with stylization] instead think about the things you like and why you like them: is it harsh shadows, saturated palettes, big and deformed noses or something else entirely! gather references and learn about the things/forms you like drawing (like mentioned in b, but i feel like it's easier with these things) yeah that's it! hope his could help you a little and if you have any questions please let me know! also like mentioned above the last little part is just my own opinion and process so please don't take it at face value hope you're having a great day as well i look forward to seeing how you progress <33