First Post!!!! (Nudity)

[johnnyrocwell]

How's it goin poeple. This my first post on the site and I just wanted alittle feedback. I really didn't spend too much time on this one, but if anybody has any pointers, tips, or just random complaints that could help me to improve, i'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Elwell]

I think that everything that's good in this is coming from the drawing, and the Photoshoppery is only detracting from it.

[evildragonfire]

I agree with Elwell. At first glance I thought it was a VERY nice peice. Looking closer I noticed alot of "sketchy" lines throughout her, they are coming off as some sort of strange texture in her skin. I would clean up the drawing itself to a more finished drawing (erase the sketch lines) and then color it again. Otherwise the drawing itself is VERY nice. :)

[wisdom_of_trees]

I have to say, I like the texture of the sketchlines in the body. But I think they should be echoed throughout the piece, so it looks more deliberate. (That is if you wanted to keep them in.)

[Bowlin]

Hmmm... I'm not sure what Elwell is refering too. I'd assume that he means between the drawing and the digital painting, neither one seems dominant enough? Either it should be a drawing by itself or pushed more into painting?

Overall it's a cool pic, kinda "Funky Town". Nice to see someone from the south. Going to Dragoncon in a couple of weeks?

[Elwell]

I mean that the drawing, as a drawing, would be much stronger than the drawing with some color slapped over it.

[DFrey666]

Opinion is as opinion does.

You could get work doing work like this so keep it up. There are always parts of any work that can be done one way or another. Does the client want more lines, less lines, more color less color. You demonstrate that you can draw and color. When you present such a work to a client make it clear up front that there can be adjustments made, within reason. But on the whole it's solid. If you can do a lot of these and fast start looking into the job posting forum here at Concept Art.

Stay Hungry

[I.was.ink]

Overall its, the drawings pretty nice and I agree with Elwell.
I would soften up a bit of the line work.
For example, the silhouette of the hair, the hands, the clavicle, and the tips of the feathers.
If I were you I'd redraw it on a seperate piece of paper, sometimes I make multiple drawings of the same thing to improve it each time I draw it.
Or perhaps, you could just draw the areas that you think need imrovement.
:)
You also might want to check out http://jamesjean.com/ and look at his flowy linework. I'm not saying you have to copy him, but it might help you loosen up a bit and have more energy in your line work.

Keep it up and show us your progress.
:pirate:

-ink

[marco nelor]

hey, this is a perfect example. ima stick around here and see wat elwell has to say about this. Hey Mister elwell....is it possible to actually have a drawing that stands out? i hear that a lot "it looks stronger as a drawing, rather than colored." how do you make a drawing presentable enough then? is there a method?

[DavePalumbo]

I agree that the sketchy lines on the skin are bothersome. First thing I noticed when I opened it and I wondered "why did he give her those spider veins?"

[Shamagim]

Is a nice piece, so I´ll say something based on one thing that you already know:

"I really didn't spend too much time on this one" = Spend a little more time to finish it then :).

[Peskykid]

There's a lot to like about this pic - angels with y-fronts gotta love it! It strikes me that this is a comic book illustration but it's been handled too much like a traditional art sketch. I'd be tempted to tighten the linework right up into single strokes and make them solid black (If you have the inclination the ink the pencil lines with pen and brush).
Don't go for the airbrush tool at all when first colouring it. Try using solid colours to give it weight. When it comes to adding light give yourself a definate, directed light source - and she's kinda funky I'd give that light source a colour too. Try to avoid painterly brush strokes and keep your gradients smooth and clean.
I know that this crit would mean a completely different looking peice but it's just what came to mind when I saw it - apologies! :bashful:

...I've just thought... darken the skin down and make it more saturated/richer. Black skin accepts lightly built up, dodged highlights beautifully!

[johnnyrocwell]

Thanks alot, everybody.

Elwell: I understand what you mean. I think its cuz i pay way more attention to my pencils than i do my colors.

the sketchy lines:for this piece, it was like a test. . . .i usually always leave my sketchy lines in, but here i chose to cover some up with paint just to see the difference. . . .the whole looked like that arm at one point. But since i didnt go one way or the other it just looks weird.

More time: I think thats a big problem for me. . .i dont spend enough time painting. . . .i get frustrated when its not comin' out how i want it and i just become content with how it looks and move on to something else.
. . . .only when it comes to painting though. . .its always intimidated me cuz i was never really taught how. . .i wanna take classes, just dont have the time.

But anyway, Thanks again to everybody for their comments, it was more than helpful. Everything is a learning experience.

[johnnyrocwell]

Peskykid: Thats very helpful. I've never been a fan of ink, but i think the rest of your suggestions could really work for me. Thanks.

[bhanu]

First of all welcome to CA forums,
The first thing I noticed here were the sketchy lines.I love the style of the lines and coloring over it but the sketchiness is destroying what all you have achieved here.And I think the colors on the leags are too flat.There arre no highlights like the rest of the body.It is cleaner than other parts though.Oh you dont ink , then dont just erase the messy lines.And state the essential lines strongly.
Take care and I really hope you enjoy your stay here.

[johnnyrocwell]

Thanks alot!

[fooxoo]

I think you just have to decide which way you wanna go - sketchy illustration or smooth polished illustration. Very cool style though, I like!

[johnnyrocwell]

thanks. I like both styles, but i think i wanna lean more towards the sketchy. . . . .i was just thinkin' about that.

[Ink_Monkey]

Id like to see the pencils for this one if ya dont mind sir.

[johnnyrocwell]

Id like to see the pencils for this one if ya dont mind sir.


sure. . .

[johnnyrocwell]

this is alittle different from the original sketch, only because i erased some things when i brought it into photoshop (unintentionally, and i cant find the original scan. . . . .and i'm too lazy to rescan it)

[Verithin]

I'm just going to talk about the lighting... really, if you look at the positioning the halo and the size of the afro the light wouldn't reach the right hand side of her body to rim-light her. I think it would rim the afro and the wings but that's about it...

I really like the pose...

[magicgoo]

I agree about the lighting. Should maybe have a large shadow under the afro.

Overall, though, I reeeeaaally like this piece! The glasses are a cute touch.

[voraz]

I was going to say I like the pattern the pencil lines make on her body, I was going to say that the legs could be the same because it looks strange that they look so different. I now see it comes from the original sketch.
Anyway I think it looks very good just find that difference between the legs and upper body a little strange.
Cheers

[egerie]

Put a warning for folks with strict work rules in your title. thanks :)

[Elwell]

I should have taken care of that, sorry.
johnnyrocwell, you'll get a lot more page views now!

[markwagner]

Fun... what out for the yellow. Try playing around with color more, too grey, too cold.

~M

[darkchild]

Hey there, aside from what was already said here, I rather like the style. I definitely like the original pencils more. Not that the coloration wasn't good but the original had some interesting different weights of lines which I personally like.

[Serena-]

What I like about this is... her halo, her features, the outline basics behind her. You have all the basic ideas down in this. But the one thing that really catches attention (aside from her well endowed self of course :D) is her beautiful halo. It's well, for lack of better words to say, to me it's a perfect rendition of a halo. The lights on the wings? Fabulous. What an angel! ^_~

What could be improved... to me is... her proporitons. I realize some go for whacky proportions - but to me the best thing about art is making it believeable. There is nothing wrong with overexagerating features like breasts, thighs, butts, especially where women are concerned. But sometimes when you do to much you make it go from voluptious (sp?) babe to oversized cartoon figurine... With her features here you're border line especially with head to body ratio and hips to waist and upper torso... making her wings a little longer would balance it out a little too.

Everyone's mentioned the grain.. but to me (maybe you fixed it already) but to me the grain is fine - it gives character. Sometimes being different is better. Excellent work reguardless, especially considering you said you did this fast so... PROPS!!!

[johnnyrocwell]

I should have taken care of that, sorry.
johnnyrocwell, you'll get a lot more page views now!

LOL!

First of all I just wanna thank everybody again for their feedback. . .

the lighting comments:I'll take that into consideration, espcially about the shadow under the afro.
markwagner: yeah, all my stuff tends to lean more towards grey. I like that, but it backfires on me alot.
Serena- I agree with you on porportions. My females aren't usually this exaggerated. . . .they are, just not to this extent. Most of my women have smaller boobs and a thicker waist (always with a big butt. . . .i cant force my hand to draw it any other way). And my main reason for the big boobs was cuz my friend kept tellin me i always draw sagging tits (this is because he prefers the unrealistic hang of silicone). But anyway, yeah i agree, her porportions bother me too. . . mainly her waist and inner thigh.
Thanks again everybody.

[Tony N Chicago]

Rockwell,

Man, leave it just as it is. The underlying drawing is good as well as the method you've decided to paint it in. I've read some of the beginning critiques and find that some of them are total crap, people repeating the comments of others rather than being straight up. Art is interpretive and subjective and viewers bring to the table all of their preconceived notions and talents about art (to the best of their abilities) and say "he/she shouldn't, couldn't; I would've..." Know what I'm saying? Oh, did we forget that it's line art thus the black outlines and such unless I can look out my window and see people outlined in the same manner. Dude, you're doing great. Keep doing what you're doing. You're on the path of finding what works best for you and sets you apart from all the others, you know, your particular style. Be a leader, a trend setter not a follower. You go to the conventions and everyone is trying to get in by copying someone else's style be it manga, marvel, alex ross, simone bisley, angel medina, you know, whoever is conventional and hot at the time. And remember, those guys got where they are now (and their money is good) by doing their own thing and not suffering to the limitations of others. Now I didn't read all the critics comments because after a while I got bored reading them. They were just xeroxing one anothers' comments. I think that some of them got caught up in the moment and forgot that you're not exhibiting work from a life drawing class where realism, values, etc is of the most importance. You've displaced a well done illustration and their hung up on it. Bounce around this site and you'll see that your first exhibition is by far greater than some of those who've been hanging around here for some time filling up the server with their subpar ditto work.

[Bai Fan]

I really dont mind the sketchy lines at all. It was obviously used to show the form and mass of the body, and you did a good job of giving her depth even into the sketch. It looks like it was done quick, and it is impressive to have this quality of concept work quickly. Keep at it. It does however bother me that the sketchy lines arent continued on the legs.

I was going to say the same thing about the halo... The lighting is not accurate.

On the line drawing, I like the piece, but I think the dark border needs to be carried around her arms and shoulders. That would give it a bit more depth and make the arms seem like they are in front of the wings.

Cant wait to see more.

[Bai Fan]

Wow, tony posted that little pep talk while I was writing.

Way to go tony! Although it seemed that you didnt actually give any feedback on his piece other than "Leave it as it is" and "It's good"

Maybe you would be more comfortable on a site like Devientart. Crits here are actually supposed to be helpfull.

[johnnyrocwell]

Tony N Chicago : Thanks alot man!. . . .but i think the crits in this particular forum are meant more as learning tools rather than "you should make your style like this". I see what you're saying though, and i appreciate it. thanks.
Bai Fan: thanks man.....I agree, that would push the wings back if i brought that black outline around the shoulders. . .thats the type of stuff i realize after im done and then try to remember it next time the situation presents itself. Thanks again.

[Tony N Chicago]

Bia Fan, that was helpful. I indicated that his work is good. I could go into all types of details about what makes it so but why catalog the obvious. He's on track. He's got a formula that works for him.

JR, dude, criticism can come from anywhere, here or Deviant, but the bottom line is continue working on your craft. Read the books, decipher the works of others, relax, grab your pencil and jam. Trust me. I know raw talent when I see it and the best way of nurturing it is to nurture it and don't get caught up too tough on the opinions of others unless they're clients, because they're paying to do so and that's a different ballgame altogether.

A lot of artists don't move forward because they lack the confidence in themselves to do so. The battle isn't material it's mental. Think it. Feel it. Do it. That's my spin on it.

Peace.

[Bai Fan]

Why not just give us a link to your work?

And Johnny, I do like your work. Put more of it up.

[Sigurd]

I love the look of cynicism in her eyes. While the viewer looks at her breasts she gets the real scoop on the whole viewer :).

Personally, I'd try and spread the scratchy lines to her legs – they make me think of bird scratches or healed scars.

She's sexy and fun. If she's some sort of guardian angel, I'd like to see who she's responsible for.

Seems like a great character for a cartoon strip.

Sort of Foxy Cleopatra's Angel from the projects....

thanks.


Sigurd

[johnnyrocwell]

Thanks, man. She's actually the first in a series of "guardian" angels. . . .she's kinda like the prototype, many more in the works. Thats why I posted her in here. . . to see how i could improve before movin on.

[Madfishmonger]

She's so cute! I lover her attitude and her boy underwear and her funky glasses. If you could just smooth out her skin a little, it would be awesome. An original idea, and I like the style.

[Serena-]

Well you showed your friend a good one then didn't you? lol

Nothing wrong with doing a few women with perfect boobs, and a few with less then perfect - variety makes the world go 'round.

I've noticed a lot of comments here that stick out in reference to the cookie cutter norm of this forum. I agree, I've seen people tear stuff apart just because it isn't "right". I can't understand why people here are so stuck on right. To me as long as it looks good KEEP it. Most of the people that aren't aritists won't know better anyway,and those that do can appreciate (I'm sure) that art is about expression - not carbon copy photo renditions. I mean yes it takes talent to do perfect proportions, and to have weight shift, and coloring PERFECt - but it takes equal amounts of talent to take something that doesn't exist at all and put it on a paper. Crit's do not hurt, and people mentioning things could be better this way and that way aren't bad - but a good amount of people tend to say "IT HAS TO BE" which is just rediculous when it comes to art.

As my brother often told me when we were growing up and drawing through out child hood "If I wanted a perfect portrait of someone, or a person - I'd buy a magazine, or I'd take a picture myself. It's more fun to see something you can't see anywhere else but in a drawing you or someone else has done." :D Props again :D

[Tony N Chicago]

Thank you, Serena. That's all I've been trying to say all along. Dude has skills but lacks in confidence. He's on the right path. Just keep doing what you're doing and you'll be fine, a cut above the rest.

Peace!

[Bai Fan]

And something to remember is that this post is in the "Crit" section of the forum... meaning that the artist wanted help and comments noticing all of the little things that don't look "right", so he can learn and grow as an artist.

The pencil sketch is good, but there are things that could make it better. Now... by better, I mean more readable to the viewer. I dont think anyone here is saying that he HAS to make any of these changes, but there are some things that he should at least be aware of. As an example, his lighting from the halo is not accurate when dealing with light as we know it. Another is my comment about the border around the arms. I didnt say he "must" do it... I said that doing it would pop the arms out in front of the wings and add more depth to the piece.

I believe that if a person asks you for criticism, you do them a disservice by only saying "good job man, keep at it" when you can see something wrong.

[johnnyrocwell]

in any case. . . I appreciate ALL the comments. Serena, your last comment gave my goosebumps alittle bit. . . .thanks.

thanks to everybody.

P.S. It's my constant mission to grow as an artist.

[LateNiteHype]

I ain't never met a girl named "Mirtle" built like that!!! <3

I vote for the sketchy lines- it adds an interesting texture, but I have to agree with some of the opinions that they could distract from the whole piece- especially with the style that the legs are done. Also, I wonder what it would look like if the outline was colored as well.

Nice lineart- I think all of the techniques you used here will work- just need to commit to a painting style and follow all the way through.

As a fellow gluteus maximus enthusiast, I am looking forward to seeing the other angels (Esther, Gertrude, and Flo?)

[johnnyrocwell]

As a fellow gluteus maximus enthusiast, I am looking forward to seeing the other angels (Esther, Gertrude, and Flo?)

LOL!!! Thats actuallly pretty close to right! I wanted to give em all names that you wouldn't expect a sexy chick to have. . . .Hence Mirtle. Gertrude is in there too, and alot of other old names.

[rytango]

haha, i remember you from DA!
um, not really much to crit. a sutible bg would be nice tho.

[Zergaloth]

Let us see some of her other hand as well. Will add depth.

[Arshes Nei]

I think if you were able to repeat the process of the sketchwork on her thight the piece would match mutch better, although if I'm reading correctly part of it was unintentionally eraased, if you can get acommpanied with your tools, you can probably try to reclone the pattern or the scale of the color so that it matches a bit better. (I hope I'm making sense).

Her skin tone is very nice.