Starting on Storm WIP.

[Lisa Clark]

@AngelinaKizz It seems like in that situation she would be looking at the dog but it looks like she is looking off into the distance. I think more interaction between the two characters would be nice.

[AngelinaKizz]

@Lisa-Clark thankyou! It can only get better with a rework!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@AngelinaKizz hi! Hope I'm not too late to reply and mess up your flow.

To answer your questions: yes, the story is clear. The girl's expression is so sweet! The pup does indeed look forlorn.

Is it too cliche? To be completely honest, this is an illustration concept I've seen before. Even in this forum, @Asyas_illos posted a similar composition and illustration (but the dog was substituted with an old lady).

Here are a few illustrations to compare (and one stock image). If you're looking to steer away from cliche, you may want to explore unique spins on this concept.

[skillydan]

This post is deleted!

[Asyas_illos]

@Melissa-Bailey yep I lost steam with that one I really loved my background but wasn’t feeling the story.

[AngelinaKizz]

@Melissa_Bailey

Thankyou so much! Never too late! I love all of the references you sent, but yes I can see the too cliche for sure! I’m going to keep thumb nailing and trying to decide on a story. Something good will come from lots of trial and error :). Thanks for such a thoughtful reply!

[Melissa_Bailey]

@AngelinaKizz you’re so welcome! Glad you found it helpful. Looking forward to seeing what you come up with…it’s a deceptively challenging prompt!

[AngelinaKizz]

New start to storm. Super super rough, but I’d love some thoughts. You guys are so great to bounce ideas with.

[Holumpa]

@AngelinaKizz The storm looks super cool. Really strong and turbulent, I can really feel it!
I am not sure if I get the story, angels or fairies bowling in the sky at a birthday event? So if they hit the pins they create storm by that? Sorry if i get it wrong.I think the composition and atmosphere already workso well.

[AngelinaKizz]

@Holumpa
Thankyou!

As little kids, we were terrified of thunderstorms. My dad used to tell us there was nothing to be afraid of, because the angels were just having a bowling party. Thunder was just pins being knocked over, and lightening was a full out strike. I’m hoping once it’s fully rendered that I can make that story clearer. Does it look proportionally balanced? Should anything be moved?

[Asyas_illos]

@AngelinaKizz I love those clouds!

[Holumpa]

@AngelinaKizz Is that a family story or is this a tale for children that is generally known in your area? Maybe it'sjust me not knowing about it. But I love the tale and I think it's a super cool idea for the prompt!
In case it is just a personal story I am thinking if there is a way to make it more obvious that the bowling is the actual cause for all the storm.
And to me personally it would be easier to read if the angels had feathers. The wings you drew remind me subjectively more of fairies. And to me angels are in the sky and therefore more likely connected to weather if you know what I mean.
The composition works in my opinion. I would just maybe work on the cake, right now the cake and the angel seem separated from the rest and it is not clear to me what the angel is doing.

[Griffin McPherson]

@AngelinaKizz I searched "dog in rain girl" and found many images of the same concept. You definitely have the technical skills to make a great illustration but honing in on a strong and unique concept is essential, especially with the emphasis that they’ve been putting on concepts in the contests lately.

[AngelinaKizz]

@Griffin
I’ve completely changed my piece which is posted later in the thread. It was a good warm up though.

[Melissa_Bailey]

@AngelinaKizz really unique and interesting concept!

But I'm with @Holumpa on this one -- the party is convoluting the story and it's unclear to me whether these are angels or fairies. I thought they were fairies.

What if you simplify the concept? Does there need to be a party to tell the story, or is the party confusing things? Keeping the focus on one to three characters bowling will keep the storytelling clear.

Looking forward to seeing where you go with this one!

[AngelinaKizz]

@Melissa_Bailey great thanks!

The wings are definitely not where I will plan to render them too, they were just scribbled in for my rough work.

The reason I added the party, was where I was trying to convey a “why” the angels were bowling. So if I remove that, am I losing part of the story telling?

[Patricia Dishmon]

@Melissa_Bailey Jeez I didn't know this was such a popular subject.

[Patricia Dishmon]

@AngelinaKizz Add the details that make a bowling alley look like a bowling alley. Like, add the booths, the ball dispensers, pizza and drinks. You've got room for that on the left behind the figures.

[Griffin McPherson]

@AngelinaKizz The angels, bowling pins, and birthday cake all feel very unusual in the setting of the storm. Putting something in an environment it doesn’t belong in is a great way to come up with creative ideas but in this case I find myself having a lot of questions and not finding answers.

Simplifying the concept down to just a few key elements could make it easier to understand the story

[AngelinaKizz]

@Patricia-Dishmon oh great idea! Thankyou!