@donnamakesart Haha, that's a good psych out, drawing out two ideas! It's more work, but at some point one might be obviously more successful than the other.
@xin-li I like the distinction you make here between choosing an idea and making a more detailed sketch. I think making any detailed drawing takes a good bit of refining, especially if we try to use accurate perspective. And like you, I spend a long time in that stagel. But I have noticed that your finished pieces do make good thumbnails (i.e., the compositions are very legible), so you must be doing something right!
@carolinebautista I remember this piece from the critique arena! I do notice that, however rough your thumbnail, all the main components are already in place. My thumbnails sometimes change almost to the point of non-recognition once I start deciding on the details, because I realize either the perspective or the anatomy was unworkable. I think that's what's at the bottom of what's bothering me the most. If they change so much, what was the thumbnail stage for and what becomes of the feedback I got?
I also tend to make my thumbnails more legible so that I can post them here.
Okay, here's my take away:
I should probably distinguish between moments/ideas and camera angles/value choices, so that I'm sure what people are reacting to when they give feedback in the forums.
I rewatched @Lee-White's Draw 50 thumbnails video. According to his process, what I posted above is probably only stage 2, and he does 3 stages. He also sits on the first stage for a while. And he mentions that even in the latter stages, one might come up with a better idea.
I even think the answer might partly depend on the artist's style.
Also, regarding Lee's advice, maybe I should try not using preprinted boxes, though I do want to adhere to a format.
And last of all, I realized that part of the problem (this time) was that I had a lot of non-art things accumulating on my to do list, but I wasn't letting myself do them until I finished the thumbnails. The result was a vicious cycle!
Thanks again, guys! I remain slow, but I think this one is just going to take time. And thinking through your answers, I think I'm going to go with one of the last two ideas for the final piece, because they are more on point.