Fantasy Character

[Shia]

For the Art War contest I am drawing this mouse character/hero. The first sketches were my very first and I think I have come along nicely but need to know if he looks better with or without neck and what about colours?
Any other critique is welcome too but I don't have much to show yet

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[zyp]

Color version seems fine head+neck, would be cool to see him with a touch of link from the Zelda games.

There is also, desperaux tilly from back in the day might give you some more ideas.

[eckzein]

I couldn't really say if it's better with the neck or no. But I will say you should look toward refining 'who' this mouse is : P I'm pretty sure that sounds stoopid but, ask yourself what sort of mouse this is? Are they a bookworm, a tomboy, a boyscout, a Don Quixote? Defining they're personality could help in refining how they look. I mean I can see a bookworm or a dancer with a long neck, but that's just me.

[shiv0r]

If you want to keep the neck you need just stylize it more to make the gesture work.

And i agree with eckzein you need to give it more personality here for example one version you could go for:

[kigerneko]

Omg Shiv0r xD Looks good

[moirae]

The brief for the art war did state that you need to: "create the most epic champion the art world has ever seen"

Many people can obviously take this different ways, but for me the character would need to ooze power, or at the very least confidence and ability. I agree that your mouse needs personality, but I would push it more towards a warrior cast, at the moment he is reading more "travelling bard" to me.
To summarise I think he needs to radiate confidence and bravery (You don't need to deck him out with muscles or anything, that's not what I mean.) Perhaps look at the cover illustrations for the Redwall series of books. Whoever does them has a talent for making mice characters look imposing.

As for colour just look at real mice and pick a scheme you like. Maybe albino?

[Sylessae]

I really like what you have here so far, the idea, and the color scheme seem to be working for me. However, we sort of lose his body shape in the clothing. I find it might be a much more interesting piece to look at if you show some movement, and a bit of what's going on under his cloak. It doesn't have to be extremely detailed anatomy, but as of now he seemed a bit blocky in his shapes - from his cape/robes to his shorts. His costume/armor/clothing should enhance his personality, and here I feel it brings it down.

Keep working hard though, I think you're heading in the right direction!