Comic Babes

[MarkHarchar]

Hello,
My name is Mark and I have just recent gotten serious about creating some pencil drawings of comic images in my head that interest me. I have just completed my first two and I was hoping that I could get some critique on what I've done. Please be honest, I want to learn.
Thanks

I hope I linked the images correctly...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/phoenix1a.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/catwoman1b.jpg

[Chяis]

Cool drawings Mark, I really like the phoenix one and I think it would look great coloured in with the right fire effect.

[Storyboard Dave]

-The Phoenix figure--it seems as though you let the size of the paper dictate how bombastic you could've made the phoenix' flames. Think about how powerful that character is and how almost pedestrian you made her. Those flames should be exploding off of her. She's also standing flat footed on the ground- not too heroic or dynamic. She's in a pose that almost makes it look as though she's trying to flag down a taxi! Make her character bigger than life! Give us or the villain a reason to fear her power; like she could really come off of the page & kick our asses.

-The Catwoman figure--nicely done but watch how you have her hand on her waist. The thumb on that hand doesn't look as though it even exists and the hand doesn't look as though it wraps around her torso properly. Also be aware of the folds you put onto her gloves- give them some believability. Right now they look like rubber bands cinching her biceps.

With both figures, try to give the characters' hair some life. Choose your line weights carefully as to their hair and not just thrown in there arbitrarily for texture. See how other comic book artists put in texture for hair & understand WHY they do it that way. Give the figures a light source to make it more believable. Hopefully thes hints have helped. Keep up the good work & keep drawing.

[MarkHarchar]

Thanks Dave. I really appreciate the critique. I actually noticed the flat feet on Phoenix and the hand on Catwoman, but at the time, wasn't sure how to fix it. I am looking at the world a different way, trying to see how fabric can be fliud and how light and shadow affects everthing. I'll also work on making the forms more dynamic looking. Again, much appreciated.

[emperor_boy]

Just curious, did you reference these from images already existing of these characters? They have a bit of that "wooden" look you see with eyeballing.

[MarkHarchar]

I started off with a basic idea of size and stuck with a less ambitous front view. I sketched out your basic proper proportions and went from there. I think the "woodenness" is coming from the direct frontal "posing" view that I took. Since I want to try to keep the visual references to a minimum, I went with what I am best at so far. I am continuing to work on the anatomy from all sides and views. I'm sticking with female anatomy for now. More smooth curves. Plus, you should drawing what interests you, right?

[Storyboard Dave]

Thanks Dave. I really appreciate the critique. I actually noticed the flat feet on Phoenix and the hand on Catwoman, but at the time, wasn't sure how to fix it. I am looking at the world a different way, trying to see how fabric can be fliud and how light and shadow affects everthing. I'll also work on making the forms more dynamic looking. Again, much appreciated.

Not only can you draw fabric & drapery to make a piece more believable but with one shot fantasy shots like this, you can also use things like sashes, whips, capes and other free flowing things (flames, smoke, mist, etc.) in a decorative way as well. Again, if it's a shot that's meant to be dynamic, push the bounds a bit.

Keep cooking!