Looking for feedback to improve this piece

[daceronine]

First time posting in this category. I'm looking for some feedback to improve this piece, and realized we have a section for this exact topic!

I'm been trying to improve my colors and lighting. I feel the piece is ok, but it also feels like it could be much better. Like colors could have more texture to them. And maybe add more lighting or shadow? It also feels like I'm overrelying on the airbrush for shadows, maybe I need to add different layers of shadows? It's hard to tell. A new perspective should help were to start.

[rosales.sequeira94]

Hey @daceronine, nice art. Well, my advice is that you could add some light coming from behind into the girls clothes, because I think there might be a little too much blackness and also some reflected light coming from the water, also you could make a brighter sun just to create a nice contrast; if that is something you would consider to convey in your art. I hope this was useful, cool art. Thanks!

[snakker]

Yo this is looking pretty nice as is, probably a bit too dark at points in the clothes, as suggested a little more light on the clothes would helps unless you need more attention on the character (due to high contrast)

I find the piece quite pleasing as is though

I think I would remove the horizontal highlight on the skirt (character near us, it distracts a little)

While I was thinking, I did imagine a version with bioluminiscence coming from the sea and illuminating them from below, but that would drastically change the feel of the painting and is just me thinking out loud 😅

Cheers!

[daceronine]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I did take these into account.
1) I increased the sun color to provide more contrast.
2) Added more waves and some more water reflections.
3) Added some texture to the "sand" and well as to the darker part of the sky in the form of stars. Also added some sand footsteps. Kinda.
3) Reduced the lighting on the girl on the foreground slightly, but overall increased the color schemes on the dresses.
4) the dresses ARE black by design, since it's supposed to be post a funeral. However, I see the point on the overall balance and increased some of the color reflections on black.
5) Tried to add a slight water texture reflection on the girl in the water.

I think it does look better! a bit more alive. while still feeling contemplative. Appreciate the notes!

On retrospective, maybe I could have also given the blonde girl hair a bit more transparency. and blend the waves colors a bit better, but I'll be moving ahead for now to the next part.

Final piece:

[snakker]

Nice! those footsteps, though subtle as they are, really add to the composition!

cheers

[Pattu_w]

That sky is just gorgeous, good stuff

[lilhorn92]

I like your use of spacing, the color gradient in the case I especially like how you've done that. I would make the darker values on the back of them a little lighter (as it gives the 'fabric' a bit too much weight I feel, and would help give the characters a little more volume as the character in the foreground feels a little flat).

In terms of relative scale, the character in the background seems a little too large in comparison to the horizon (and in relation to the one in the foreground).

There's a very tranquil energy to how you've applied the waves, good work

[daceronine]

Hey! thank you for stopping by and sharing the feedback! I can see what you mean with these points. It's been a while, so I moved from the piece, but I'll be taking this tips to keep them in mind in upcoming works