@Bobby-Aquitania Yes you're right, there should be a light on the front. I did think about that before, but it didn't suit the composition with the other light sources I wanted so I left it out. At one point when I was thinking of adding the fairy lights, they were going to be wrapped round the funnel thing at the top, and I thought they could light the way... I also wondered, maybe there could be a third elf sat up there at the front, arms wrapped round, holding a light & looking delighted...but again would that be too much to include.. But fair points, thanks for pointing them out 🙂

@Bobby-Aquitania That solved it! I actually was talking about the eyedropper tool (I guess I think of it like a color picker but you are right, it is different than the color wheel).

I read your response and then quickly deleted my 3 frustrated tweets to @SketchableApp. I guess I'm just not familiar enough with Win 8.1. I never use the "fly out" charm menu.

I was so annoyed but you nailed it! Thank you so much!

Sweet! Always looking for good, free audio books to listen to while working. Thanks!

@mattramsey Thanks for the update. I was thinking about suggesting testing on a copy. 1. test the space, since that area is giving you problems and not the sand area what happens if you delete and paint from scratch. 2. Copy and paste just that square of space into a new file and see what happens there. 3. Play with the type of files you are saving it as. Good luck troubleshooting.

@Joy-Heyer Oh, wow! Thanks. It's nice to have a visual. I see what you mean. The other one I did had Peter and Santa really big and some of the feedback then was that it was too much so.....maybe though, Peter Pan was the star and Santa was in the background then. Thank you for taking the time to do this. I still might be able to enlarge them a little as I haven't started inking my new one yet. We'll see how much time I have. Thanks again!

Marsha

@Dama-Chan Very cute. Can't wait to see more!

@amberwingart Okay this time I did...

A Gradient pass on Screen of a bright orange from bottom to half way. This is to simulate the light coming from the bottom and fading out above him. A Gradient pass on Multiply in a dark blue from top to half way. I erased the edges from the outer oval where it had become blue to match the warm bottom of the oval background I did some bright circular gradients in a light blue on the bluebird. And finally I selected the inner back ground and turned the contrast down to match the top darkness to give the illusion of going back.
I think the last part was the most effective. You could do this with a dark glaze in your painting. I would test it on some canvas paper first though. I could make the foliage under his arm more green, but you get the gist...

4.jpg

What a great class... thank you Dulcie!!!

You'll find it under " Art " at the top, after Home. Click that, then you'll see a link for it... Just make your own. I've been debating to do the same.

Thanks, Rob. That makes me feel encouraged 🙂

@carlenevick said:

Great feedback guys, I just learned so much in two minutes!

Bobby - I'm going to try recreating those steps you just mentioned, see how much I can take away from them and apply to my next project.

I did decide to restart the 3rd thursday prompt, figured it would be a great chance to explore some other ideas I had, but I will keep playing with this concept to push myself further.

I'll be sure to share the newer WIP too - thanks guys.

I will take screenshots of the layers and post them for you.

@Chip-Valecek I have been doing that exact same thing - its really a great trick! Glad you shared it as others will really benefit from it too!

@Bobby-Aquitania Thanks, and yes I have seen that dragon! I started that class but not finished it yet, it's another one on my neverending list of stuff to watch 🙂

@shinjifujioka Thank you for the advice. I am currently looking into getting a website, who did you use for yours? I've been considering using Wix because it seems to have the best quality for a decent yearly price. But I know that I really need to get one if I want to seem professional at all.

Can you describe what you mean by "valuable information?" I try to keep my social media updated with frequent images of things I'm working on, but I don't know what you mean as far as info. Like, things in the art world I'm interested in? A blog on my site?

@Lee-White ,
Thank you Lee! I see what you mean! It really is hard work. I do want to improve and I would actually love to take all of those classes and have taken quite a few-some many years ago 🙂 Unfortunately, I don't really have the time to take those brick and mortar classes right now so this has been really great to find SVS. I actually have a couple of books I have been trying to work on and have three books I illustrated and they have been published (of course not the big publishers and the clients aren't artists 🙂 I'm really struggling with the actual thumbprints and laying out the pictures! But, of course, I need to do the assignments and develop my art skills too! I'm kind of doing things backwards. I recently had someone want me to illustrate a book and give me 50% of the proceeds......not interested for to reasons: I don't feel I'm quite competent enough yet and 2, I don't want to put hours in to a book for someone that then, doesn't make anything from it. I have already done that 🙂 (though it was okay because it was my friend and I did it for the experience). I don't really need to do this as a career but I do want to do it for the challenge and wow, it is challenging. I am almost 60 years old 🙂
You guys are all awesome to teach these classes and be such a great help to us. I am so impressed with some of the art I have seen on this forum and in the third Thursday critiques..and to think that you have responded to my discouraging post is very appreciated. Thank you so much. I've been trying to work on perspective and be more free with my figures, etc. or that is what I feel I need to do anyway. If you have seen any of my work, I hope that you will give me some feedback on areas that I can work on too. Thanks again! I also do the scbwi draw this challenges.

Hi all,

I know it is 10 years old, but does anyone still use InDesign CS2 to layout picture book dummies and if so do you know of any good tutorials for it?

I am trying not to have to pay the monthly adobe creative cloud fee since I use Manga Studio 5 to draw and paint.

Great tips! I really like the look of that key board!