NDA Art Critique Message Boards

Thank you all for the critique and help!

Sorry that I haven't replied to them, I've been away for a week down in Orlando, and there was no wireless internet (or indeed, no internet period except for in the air ports) DX

I've updated on the phoenix, I'll post that soon.

And I do see what you mean with more light needed, GuardianAngel1. I did originally have more light, but then I darkened the picture and left it like that. I will make it much more bright, etc.

Here is the base colours for the phoenix. Any help with feathering techniques?



And here is a slight improvement. Actually, do you want to tell me if it was an actual improvement, or do I need to go even further?

OK, someone at elfwood gave me great critique on the seadragon :D I've added some tower ruins in the bg! But I can't seem to make any small fish/sea organisms fit in... any help?



Note: I will darken the shadows on the seadragon, just too lazy right now.

And any idea on how/where to put the legs on the ice phoenix? Thanks a bunch


Arg, file is fuzzy 'cause I had to shrink it X(

Here is the finished Ice phoenix: http://silver-drake.deviantart.com/art/Ice-Phoenix-163400631

I need help with the legs, mainly. Thanks in advance!

I love the idea you've had with replacing flames for icicle-type feathers. I've never seen that done before. :]

I've done a quick idea of what you might look at for adding light and depth to your piece.
(I used the creature pictures GuardianAngel1 posted on page 5)

*Has had too much free time on her hands today* XD

Rightyo:

1) I've placed the animals into the picture. Note that I've used gaussian blur with a colour around them, (on a separate layer beneath). This is REALLY handy for making things look like they're glowing.

2) Add depth by making differences in size between things. Notice how the one on top looks further away - the easy trick of size adds depth pretty quickly. :]

3) I've used a gaussian blur (on a separate layer) around the lights on the dragon. They look pretty bright, so I thought they'd probably cast a bit more of a glow.
I've also added light on the dragon's body where it might be reflected off. I'm assuming your dragon has scales so the light would reflect quite well.

4) More of a tiny thing than anything - maybe you could make the picture a bit wider to the left? The dragon looks a little squashed. :3

NB - glows can be seen in water as there are many particles floating around in the water - it's like air - you see beams of light when strong sunlight is shown up by particles in the air, such as dust. :]

Sorry for the massive rant, and I hope this helps!

Thank god for free time. This is wonderful!! I was really stuck with everything; this should really help.

I was really stuck on the glow - didn't really understand on how to make it more 'glowy'. This will certainly help! So, the gaussian blur? Will do. I think I am just too 'scared' to try anything new; I didn't want to ruin the picture (even with the undo button, hurr hurr).

And adding more depth to the pic will add...well, some depth that it was lacking.

Now, one of the major problems I've been having is making the animals fit into the picture. You see, the dragon has lineart, and when I do lineless stuff into the pic, it doesn't look right. But when I try to add lines, it looks even more horrible. Do you have any suggestions, or is it just an experience/technique thing?

And I've noticed that he's squashed too- I've just been too lazy to extend the pic :P

Thanks!

Note to self- I will add some more depth to the feathers on the ice phoenix.

An update on the sea dragon! Muchos thanks to GoredGuar (and everyone else, of course!) who really helped me with the glow problems and everything else

As you can see, there are jellyfish!! I couldn't draw anything else (except for shrimp).

And sorry for the small/fuzzy size -_-

Fantastic! Looks much better, and the creatures you've added are really pretty :3

Thanks!

Do you have any more suggestions?

Since your creatures are providing a source of light, and we can see them, I don't think the water would be black - the colour of absolute black only appears in the total absence of light. :]

Try adding a gradient to the water, maybe a slight dark greeny-blue tinge?
(see below)