Critique Me 2012

[wesley_1988]

After a lengthy absence I've returned to the forum to find a popular and helpful hread is now obsolete. For those unaware of the concept, the critique me thread was one thread where anybody seeking advice/critique could post artwork for all to see and comment on. I have noticed that everyone now appears to be spamming the forum with their own threads that are going largely ignored(Iknow mine did! LOL).
There was also an anonymous login for those too shy to post work as themselves so I've reinstated that;

Username: critiqueme12
Password: critiqueme

I for one will try to give feedback on any artwork posted and would appreciate it if others using this section of the forum would do the same.

Here's hoping this takes off!

[wesley_1988]

I'll go first. Started this last week but messed up the windbars infront of the koi's face and so stuck a piece of paper over it and carried on rather than scrap the whole piece. I'm not putting it toward any sort of portfolio or anything it was just a bit of fun. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[captain_cabinet]

I like it man, wish I could get that consistency in my scales. Not a massive fan of Japanese stuff so i need to look at more stuff like this to be able to crack it.

Like the shading in the bars too!

[captain_cabinet]

Ok here's one I just sketched up today. Want to improve my portraits as people ask me to draw them quite a bit but I don't like showing them as I don't think they're good enough!

(i know the cigar looks like a giant turd, think i need some highlights in there!)

[wesley_1988]

I'm by no means an expert at realism (or anything for that matter!) but if I were doing a portrait I'd sketch the outline and main features faintly then build the face with shading starting with the lighter parts gradually building the darker parts trying to eliminate any solid lines (such as around the fingers/teeth). I think you need to slow down with your shading use smaller strokes to build it up as some parts currently look quite scribbly. I once took a piece of advice from here (can't remember whether it was directed to me or someone else)about not trying to draw each strand of hair. Hope this helps in some way!

Also thanks for the feedback on my work and for using this thread. If its anywhere near as successful as it was a couple of years ago it will be great for everyone trying to build portfolio's or just improve their skills as you can take advice/tips given to others on their work and utilise it yourself.

[captain_cabinet]

Thanks dude, I'm really trying to slow down and build the tone but I find it hard to get the contrast in the darker areas, going to try another through the week see if I can take a bit more time and really on blending less!

[wesley_1988]

New one I'm working on. I think I my have been too hasty in drawing a line around the face as I think the face itself is looking too fat. Also I may rub out the swirls on the head and start over with them as look as they are drawn from a different perspective to the face. I've masking taped my waves and lotus to keep 'em white as with the koi piece I did the colour first then the background shading and dragged the pencil over the colour giving it a muddy look.

[harleyrainey]

few pieces I'd like critiquing!
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[wesley_1988]

Hi Hayley,

Firstly I like your use of light and dark in the girl portrait. There are good aspects to the piece but the shading appears quite rushed around the hair and neck and the drawing has a lean to the right(possibly from drawing on a flat surface as opposed to having the drawing upright in front of you.)you will notice this if you look at how the right nostril/eye are higher than those on the left.

As for the japanese style stuff I would recommend copying other artist work to begin with to get a feel for how to draw certain motifs and make whole designs flow then take aspects of their work and translate it into your own drawings thus creating your own style. With the koi drawing it looks as if you have copied two drawings and stuck the designs together, it doesn't flow very well and the background shading should represent water or wind and would not be coming from the mouths of the fish.

[captain_cabinet]

I really like the idea of the Buddha but I think you have already picked up more than I would so not much to add!

Hayley, I agree with the above re the girl and also like how you have drawn the hair. I'm not sure what it is about the Hanya mask but it looks a bit thin at the bottom and I think the hair could have more time spent on it....i'm really no expert with Japanese stuff though!