Hi

[Masquerade]

Hey. I'm (obviously) new. I've been on DeviantART for a while but I'm getting a little fed up with the lack of feedback and decent critiques, so I thought I'd try somewhere else. Looks like I found it :)
Anyway, I just got Photoshop CS2, and I've been painting some of my work in it with my mouse (hate it, no other option). I've got a few pieces "finished" and I'm not really satisfied with them, but I'm clueless as to what to do about it. Here's hoping you're willing to help!

[Pascallo]

Hi! Welcome to conceptart ;)
Quite nice! If there is coming stronger light from above the creature should have more shadow on itself and some more light. The marks on its body seem to me as if glowing. so they would also light other body parts.
Leaving out the strong outlines would help this image a lot I would say!
Please stop drawing with your mouse - would you do it with a wacom you would have several different brush strokes and variations in your painting that would make your picture much more realistic!
But even though quite not bad - cheers!

[rabeat]

if u did that with a mouse, u cant imagine what ull do with a genius or wacom (better if its wacom) tablet, it gives u complete freedom and lots of possibilities.

[Masquerade]

Thanks! It might be a while before I can get my hands on a tablet, since supply is scarce where I live and the ones I've seen tend to be expensive. It's on my shopping list though.

I do realize I have trouble with making my shadows strong enough, I'm hoping that with enough practice (ergo, mistakes) I will get the hang of it. I agree about the outlines - the drawings I'm working on currently will have no outlines if I can help it.

[Pascallo]

well, I have no own tablet yet either. I think for learning it would be better for your to work on traditional media - painting with a mouse cannot help you drawing.
Then better do one pencil sketchbook as some mouse-pictures.

[Masquerade]

I have done a lot of work with traditional media - graphite, acrylics, some watercolor, ink, etc. I intend to learn to work digitally as well, as I find it more convenient in many ways. I'll put up some of my traditional pieces for critique as well, since I've by no means mastered it.

Thanks for your input!

[AtariWG]

If that creature is supposed to be underwater, it seems as though you could do more with the way light bends underwater to give the impression that its submerged... right now as it is, it looks more like it's floating in air.

PS- Sometimes you can find some good deals on the wacom tablets online. Just have to keep an eye out for it. Check around for the after Christmas sales.