This is what I have on a separate group layer to keep as a reference.
Value.jpg

Is this okay or should I mess around with it a bit more? I think maybe the foreground is a bit too dark?

Thanks guys...I like these ideas. I’ll tweak it since I have some time!

@StudioLooong Love the character, and lightling. Beautiful image.

I just saw an image by Kenard Pak, and thought it might be interesting to add into the discussion here. It is mostly a monocolor image, with a touch of color for storytelling. I thought it was doen veyr effectively. Screen Shot 2020-08-19 at 09.19.03.png

Another thing I am wondering about is the compostion. Would it make more sense to move him a bit towards left, so there is more room in front of him? Right now the left side of the image felt empty - something is missing.

The city define with shadow and with angles also heightens the tension/uncertainty the characters feel that helps tell the story.

@Gary-Wilkinson
Thank you so much for the feedback on topic and story, and the composition suggestions on #1. I really like your idea of moving the hill on the right more into the foreground.
Val

I made some changes and here is the updated version with desaturated background (and a tree removal), I made some tone adjustments and darkened the foreground. I also rendered the water and made a few changes to the dragonfly.
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As I was working on it, I was thinking about how it might appear in a book or magazine. With the detail on the insect, I thought that it would make a fun diagram. I wrote out the body parts in the handwriting they teach my kids at school for an authentic kid look. What do you think... with or without the text?
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@Jeremiah-Gorrell Thanks ..that's what I was feeling as well..even with playing with color the lines are bothering me, so I will eliminate them or move onto a different background. Thanks so much for the feedback.

@Gary-Wilkinson Thanks for sharing this mockup. As a beginner in these areas, you've help me a lot with the way you illustrated your points.

@Ruth-Tripp I really enjoy the "dragon and a fly" concept! It's a good play on words. 🙂

My favorite sketch is the first one with the bearded dragon. I think it could make a really cool and striking image. As others have suggested; more storytelling can really bring the concept and overall drawing to life! I can't wait to see what you decide to do 😃

Sisterland Color web.jpg Here is an image I created for the book Sisterland Written by Salla Simukka. A shape shifter dragonfly appears in the story. Here is a possible idea for this months prompt, however I am working on another idea for the fun of it all.

@erinrew it does feel that way at first, but its still your art and your artistic choices. The trick is to use layers to make it all look cohesive.