Mutation, mood an value

#1

Hi my name is Andrew. I’d like recive critique about my painting, in particular about mood and value.

The painting is about a painful mutation of a guy.

Thank you.

#2

What is the location? A nondescript background almost always feels like an afterthought and seems arbitrary or half-assed. It’s important to visualize the complete scene when you think about the narrative of your illustration. Think about the premise, who this guy is, where he’s at, what he was doing the moment before he mutated, and what might happen after he mutates. Think like a writer/director instead of just a guy making pictures.

What kind of light source is that? See, if you knew clearly what the location is, you’ll know what type of lighting is contained in that location, and thus you’ll know why there appears to be an isolated light pointing at him.

The perspective/proportions of his legs don’t seem right. You need to make his lower legs more readable. Don’t try to avoid them just because they are hard to depict. Hiding things you can’t draw/paint convincingly is never the answer, because more experience artists can spot it from a mile away. Take some photo references of yourself or friends/family in that exact same pose, using a household light to simulate the same kind of lighting. ALWAYS use proper photo references if you want your work to have any sense of authenticity, and this is true even for stylized works. The only exceptions are if you are already an advanced artist who can draw/paint out of his very easily and convincingly, otherwise, use proper references.

#3

Ok, thank you very much for these very detailed critiques.

I’m thinking two possibilities:

  • an experiment on himself, so his dress sholud be a scientist dress and the background an laboratory

  • an human cavy inside a dirty humid cell.

How should be the level of details of the background, thinking that the mutant is the center of attention?

#4

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