skull warrior...

[geoffd]

boy trying out tradidtion paints is a massive wake up call. the realm of color is intimidating to say the lease... i'm afraid, but tyring to overcome that fear. i must learn to see things as they are, not how i think they should be... crits on this would be helpful. thanks and enjoy!!

gouache on watercolor paper...
http://home.comcast.net/~artwirks/images/skullomania.jpg

[gallon]

In the next one... think about the perspektive a bit. Straight forward is probably the hardest (looks flat real easy) and least dramatic... Play with it..birdsview, frogview, 3/4 view... You got cheap pencils and expensive paint and canvas, do the most dramatic sketch you can think of, or take a photo of your Girl/boyfriend, sister/brother in a cool position and use that for ref. Works for me:)

[AnarchyAo2]

I probably shouldn't be critizing this, because, I know I couldn't do any better. BUT, I am :D

It seems like you don't have much control with the brush. Which, I think, is perfectly natural. Considering that you've been using a pencil your whole life (which is alot more precise then a brush). You'll just need to get the hang of it and develop your own technique.

Also, if your using a reference, it might be a good idea to squint your eyes making everything blurry. And just paint those colors that you see. Don't focus on what you think your seeing, just what your seeing. Your picture might turn out a lil fuzzy but it will still look good. It might even look like a Monet :)

I hope I helped a little.

[geoffd]

thanks guys. some good stuff to go on there.

gallon - i'll have to try that 3/4 view, this front view stuff just doesn't look good the more i look at it. you're right about it look flat.

anarchy - don't feel like you shouldn't give a crit, that's how we all learn :D besides you gave some good input, i'll have to try squinting... i read that somewhere else but just put it off.

thanks guys