Hello, any advice would be great :-)

[AlexTooth]

Update, still looking for help etc :)

http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr16/AlexTooth/TestJpeg2.jpg

[Kirt]

The biggest issue that I see is that you have all of your contrast in the head of the character and her hand (and the object she is holding) is being lost in the equal values of her chest. I'm guessing that you want emphasis on this as she appears to be looking at it through her closed eyes and cues (curve of the wings, running eye liner, hair pointing downward, arrow on the forehead) all direct the viewer's eyes towards this object and her hand.

[AlexTooth]

Oh thanks Kirt - Well tbh, it's a bit embarresing but I didn't really plan the image very well, which I learnt - you're right the hand and glowing thing should be better and more emphasis there. Someone else commented that all the brush effects make it too busy and the background should be a different colour. So I have a lot to work on!

Thank you for you input, I find it very difficult to get critiques, so it means a lot and hopefully now I can improve the piece :)

[DArcy1]

Hi

My thought is the neck is far too narrow and a bit too long; also, her eyelids are so bright she looks like her eyes are actually open, that she is looking straight at us with glowing eyes. If you don't tilt the head forward so it's looking down (way too much work I'd say), I think it would help to have her eyes at least partly open so you can glimpse her pupils and clearly see she is looking down. at the crystal. You should be able to get some nice reflections going on as well.

Hope that helps

D'Arcy

[AlexTooth]

Thanks D'arcy - I will try to fix those issues before friday which is the deadline.

In the mean time I have another WIP - any critique to improve it greatly appreciated. I think I'll just make this a WIP thread rather than start new ones!

Oh, this is for the weekly challenge on IFX - this week "release the beast" is the title, so it's quite a quick portrait I did. I still want to improve it somehow!

http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr16/AlexTooth/step7.jpg

[Kirt]

Generally, I think this is a pretty good illustration. You definately have something worth pursuing and adding that next level of attention and polish. It has a nice look and composition to it which is engaging. The shadows and highlights around the cheek, inside of the nose and around the lips are really good. However, it is not without it's problems.

Overall, it has a feeling of things being 'stuck on' rather than being a 'part of' the structure of the face. The eyes, teeth, hair and markings on the forehead all look and feel as though they are layered on and floating elements in the image.

The nose, although is starts off well on the left side, sort of flattens out on the right and at the bottom because the values are too similar to the right cheek and upper lip. I think you could darken the right side to give it more depth. Clarify the shape of the bottom of the nose better to separate it from the lip. And bring up the highlights more (nose is generally out in front and collects more light) on the end of the nose.

The eye ... you really need to study the construction of an eye more closely. The upper lid and lower lid does not meet in a point at the corners. Eyelids follow the contour of the eye, they are not just parenthesis laying on their sides. Just when you think you have the right 'whiteness' of the eye ... go darker. Eye whites aren't really that white, especially if your character is in low light. And finally, focus the eye on something or the viewer if you're not sure what to do with it. Right now she's got that uncanny valley stare and I'm not sure why she'd be looking over my left shoulder. Is there something behind me that is interesting to her?

I could go on, but they're all really minor things. I'll let someone else give you a few tips.

[DArcy1]

I'll add to Kirt's thoughts; for the teeth in particular, sketch in her skull and how the teeth fit in to it. Remember they have to be functional, that jaw opens and closes. If her teeth protrude the way they seem to here, her whole upper jaw would do the same, so she'd have a bit of a snout. Also, her lower lip needs a gap for the tooth to slide into, otherwise every time she shuts her mouth she'd cut herself.

Cheers

D.

[AlexTooth]

Thanks for the lengthy reply Kirt, much appreciated. Unfortunately I didn't get it til today and the challenge is over.

But this doesn't mean to say I won't try and fix the issues you mentioned. Yes, I always thought the stare was an issue - I asked on the challenge forums about it and no one seemed to think it was a prob.

I had actually had a go at the teeth and the nose, and trying to get the markings to fit better.

I actually don't think the teeth are going to "work" unless I have an open mouth, which would take too much of my time. I did change them though and I am going to have to claim artistic liscense. Put it down the bad planning.

As for all the minor issues, yep you can probably tell straight away I'm a beginner, no hiding that :) Anyways I'll try and get it looking best I can. Meanwhile I'm finishing the "trouble in paradise" today to hand in tonight :0

thx!

& thx D'arcy - though as I said above I am not sure if I can get the teeth to fit much better now without an open mouth >.<

http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr16/AlexTooth/Alex117final.png

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