Hi I need some feedback on my latest illustration.
So this is a character from a book I read and I wanted to make him as ai see him when I read the book. I didnt use a process really and that's what bothers me.. Idk if I missed something and how to distribute detail. 
Jun 18, '21
Jun 23, '21
Hi @h-samson
Great job on getting to his point. And thank you for posting in the critique section. Others will learn from your journey.
Well let's see what we can do about that.
First, don't worry about not using a process right now. It takes a long time for people to find a process that they understand, and enjoy. There are many different ways. So keep trying them and eventually you will have one you prefer. A process you prefer enables you to express yourself, explore ideas instead of worrying about process, and to solve new problems when they arise. Look at a process like sets of tools. An electrician doesn’t use plumbing tools. And vice versa. If you need to design, just draw. If you need to storyboard or make illustration thumbnails just draw.
That being said, the process that one chooses is not to ‘miss anything’ when you are painting. This isn’t an exam. There isn’t a right answer. As long as you feel that you have expressed what you want to express, (or something near it) then you feel a sort of satisfaction. You should learn now that the creative process doesn’t always end where you think it will. Sometimes it stops short. Sometimes it can keep going way past where you thought it should.
Sometimes you get a flat tire and there’s no one around to help you and you have to solve the problem yourself. Was it wrong what you did to get yourself home? Maybe there was a better way, but why have FOMO about how to do something “the right way” when you now have a story of clawing your way home through the zombies and saving yourself. This is how you learn tricks and shortcuts without someone telling them to you. You find things that other people never knew about. And develop creativity through limitations.
Unless it's paid work. Work, including art, always feels like work. Because you rarely get a job where someone says, “Okay make whatever!” It's always someone else's product. They need you to make their way unless it's your own product or IP. This is the only reason you ever NEED a process.
With the philosophy out of the way let's move on to your picture.
“Idk if I missed something”
Neither do we. We don't know what book you read, the story or anything about the character. Was it a tragedy? Was it a hero journey? Was it a crusade? Who knows!
All I have is what I see here. So we can't really help if you did something right or wrong in regards to the story/character receiving artistic justice.
So our critique can only be about how you distributed detail.
“How to distribute detail”
Okay, this one I’ve explained before a few times.
What is the main focus point that you want to have the audience focus on? We want the eyes to move around the canvas and have things to look at be the things that are telling a story. Like planning a road trip on an old map. You choose what different cities to focus your time in not focusing on the road getting to those cities.
Whether the picture is low mid or high key value in its arrangement it doesn't matter. The focal points will be the highest points of contrast in value, color, shape, detail and form. So use those focal points to have your details and relay the information you want them too about the story.
I’m sure, maybe, that your focal point…..wasn’t your signature. In its opposite hued blue clashing against orange light with your character staring up at it, like it was god. Was It? I didn’t think so. Move your signature.
A few more questions pop up while I'm looking at the picture.
If that all makes sense and you choose to keep working on the picture and require more help feel free to post an update and ask more questions. If you need me to expand on some of my explanations and how they specifically apply to your image let me know!
Good luck! I hope you bring it to a spot you're happy with!
Hi ! Thank you for your answer ! Yeah I guess I should have explained a bit more what the piece is about. It's a knight of Emerald. He's a knight who uses magic to kill his oponents or to heal his allies. He also incinerates all the dead bodies when a battle ends to avoid sicknesses and that's what the piece is about. He just finished incinerating someone and you can see the knight behind him doing the same.
The signature is clearly wrong I cant believe I didnt see that.. Wellan is actually looking at a god but it's not my signature I miss placed it and really contrasted it against the warmth of the godess's light.. About the huge dick in the foreground, you are completely right. I tend to use a lot of space for things that are not important..I should have blured it and shrunk it. The floating stuff is just ashes flying from the fire I thought it was obvious but maybe the black grass is blocking the view too much to see that clearly..
Anyway thanks a lot for that it's really really appreciated I'll use your critique for my next one which I will also publish here. Again, thanks a lot
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