Is anyone doing folktale week?
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@ArtistErin thank you! I honestly really struggled with the colors on this one, so I’m happy to hear I found a palette that works well!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsten.mcgonigal.art/
Portfolio Site: www.kirstenmcgonigalart.com -
Been meaning to chime in here, very lovely work @ArtistErin and
@kirsten-mcg -
@ArtistErin I heard that too, and in general I keep hearing it's good to have sequences in portfolio (eg from the same story, or with the same characters), and that's how I sometimes approach art challenges like Folktale Week - as an opportunity for a project. But obviously, completing a project is so much harder than a singular illustration
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@kirsten-mcg That's true, I can always work on them in those moments when I don't know what to draw next
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@mzameckaart The sequential aspect is why I feel I need to redraw an already established book, because I need the practice in showing I can keep consistency in characters, linework, color palette, flow and so on. I saw in many Folktales people did, there was a consistent theme, and mine, while unique and everything individually, there was a lack of consistency again.
I have never done a challenge like that before so I saw the "holes" so to speak in the final effort and realized also I found my love for the vintage ink linework with a limited color palette, so I feel excited about this discovery. Part of my reluctance to submit my Kamari piece right now is it doesn't have that vibe and honestly I don't want the smackdown feeling of not getting picked to be in the ring which sucks. I'm feeling guarded and in the wrong place maybe, at the moment with Critique Arena.
It's amazing how long and arduous the process is, to find that happy place as an artist, in this sea of inspiration of all the incredible art out there, trying to find my niche and focus. Right? I mean I'm rambling here but it helps to speak this out loud.
Erin Richardson
instagram.com/erinrichardsondesigns21
www.erinrichardsondesigns.com -
@Asyas_illos Thank you Asya!!!!
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@kirsten-mcg You're welcome! And kudos for sticking with it, finishing, despite your doubts and coming out with a beautiful work.
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@ArtistErin if you found a technique/medium you really like to work in then I would say your efforts for Folktale Week were well worth the time and effort! Stylistic discoveries are, in my opinion at least, one of the best things about doing art challenges!
Do you have time to re-do your Kamari piece?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsten.mcgonigal.art/
Portfolio Site: www.kirstenmcgonigalart.com -
@ArtistErin Oh that's really great that you discovered a technique you like! I have yet to decide on a technique or style, I feel like I kinda have a style to my drawing, which is something I 'can't help', it just comes out that way, but it's not a conscious decision of mine and usually doesn't leave me entirely content with the outcome.. (But that's how art is, isn't it?) I tell myself that those things come in time, the more pieces you create.
About Critique Arena - I think you shouldn't stress yourself with it. The way I approach it is, if it inspires me to make a new piece - that's great on it's own. Even though, of course, it would be nice to be picked one day. But I believe if you're not picked it's not a reason to feel like it's a 'smackdown'
Even if it's hard, because we are all artists and art is very personal, so we feel aaany kind of rejection personally.For Kamari prompt I'm making a piece that just came to me after doing a little research on the origins and meaning of that name. I'm not sure if it fits the contest and I don't know if I'll even send it, but I just had to draw it
and I think it will be a portfolio-worthy piece. -
@kirsten-mcg
I do have time to re-draw it yet now that I am knee deep in this new project I'm working on, just not excited about the time investment... Anyway, I know I have to pull myself out of the funk and maybe I'll just submit what I have because I've already invested so much time into it. Learned a great deal of course. I dunno. I'll post it and tell me your honest thoughts, and if you think I should rework it, I'll consider it! Your feedback is so helpful so you know! I follow Lilla Rogers of Make Art That Sells, she's an agent and she posted something on IG that helped to hear, it's make the list of things you want to do and just tackle one by one. I have to move in the direction that feels good to me here and now and so that's my general rule of thumb to live by... A few things I see I need to still do- clean up the sand under the Pelican so it looks like it matches his feet standing there, fix Kamari's left hand- it looks odd, and add depth to both birds' eyes so they match Kamari's... What else do you see?
Thank you
Erin Richardson
instagram.com/erinrichardsondesigns21
www.erinrichardsondesigns.com -
@mzameckaart Thank you!!! Yeah I know I shouldn't take it so personally yet when it comes down to time investment it starts feeling like Ok, what am I doing here? It just sucks to put so much time in. I know learning is not wasted time or effort, I totally get that... I try to follow the tips and I usually am good with critiques, and feedback... and of course working constantly to get better yet I find myself wondering if I am even in the right "pond" so to speak, with Critique Arena, and maybe my work isn't suited for the format it is. Sorry for the rambling. AND... thank you for your kind words...
About your style: I am so in love with your little pig icon. I absolutely love how you draw, and your work truly inspires me to keep going... Capturing such adorable cuteness is my intention !!!
Erin Richardson
instagram.com/erinrichardsondesigns21
www.erinrichardsondesigns.com -
@mzameckaart Oh I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!
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@ArtistErin Oh my goodness I saw this one earlier on the forum and didn't realize that it was yours! I really love the story! I got it immediately and thought "that's so cleaver." So my advice is yes, submit it! Even if you don't have time to fix anything! I think you are in the right space with Critique Arena. It just takes time and patience, and learning from the ones that do make it in, as well as the ones that don't.
If you do have time to do a couple edits, or even re-do in the ink style you used for Folktale Week, you could consider a couple of edits. You're right that his left hand is a little funny. I think it has more to do with the hand's position behind the lamp than being drawn wrong. Being right behind the ball at the top of the lamp makes it hard to avoid tangents. Maybe if you just raise it up a bit so that the silhouette is more clear.
You could also add a bit more shadow under the boy. He looks a little like he's floating right now. I'm also wondering if the pelican and blue footed boobie (that's what that bird is, right?
) are adding to the image or taking away from it? I think the pelican at least is an important part of the composition at this point, but I feel like you could easily take out the smaller bird and the composition wouldn't break, and the story might read a little clearer. If you do take out the smaller bird, maybe move the chest in the background over a little to kind of take his place visually.But seriously you need to submit even if you can't make changes!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsten.mcgonigal.art/
Portfolio Site: www.kirstenmcgonigalart.com -
@kirsten-mcg Thank you Kirsten!! I truly appreciate your insight here, I will take today to make those changes and will adjust... sometimes it's hard to see the path when you're eyes aren't seeing straight.
I love @Mia-Clarke and her needing to be roasted and change her illo cover, I love her straightforwardness regarding her work, and seeing myself here I suppose I need to thicken my skin...Many thanks!!!
Erin Richardson
instagram.com/erinrichardsondesigns21
www.erinrichardsondesigns.com -
@ArtistErin Awww, Erin!
️ That’s such a sweet thing to say! -
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@kirsten-mcg My submission for November
Erin Richardson
instagram.com/erinrichardsondesigns21
www.erinrichardsondesigns.com -
@ArtistErin Ooh, I'm so flattered! But in fact I feel I still have a problem with drawing 'cute' things and generally making images tha appeal to more people, it's something I'm still figuring out. But hopefully I will get there.
I think your idea is great and in my opinion it's a very fitting answer to the prompt!
I felt like the pelican needed the most work, so it might be good that you cut it out. It also brings more attention to the boy, as the piece is less busy.
And I really like the way you drew the boy!
But I liked it better before with sunburns more visible and the sand lighter - the boy stood out more clearly from the background, now his skin color and the color of the sand are too similar. So I guess the only issue I can see now are the values -
@ArtistErin I love this! I think the changes you made make it that much better. Like I said before, your story is really clear, and that's half the battle. The value similarities between the boy's skin and the sand don't really bother me. The lifework helps the boys stand out. But you could play with it a little like @ArtistErin suggests and see what you think.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirsten.mcgonigal.art/
Portfolio Site: www.kirstenmcgonigalart.com -
@kirsten-mcg Thank you!! We shall find out how it goes, and just keep on keepin' on
@Mia-Clarke I like the deeper skin on Kamari, and changes I made, ultimately the reason for that is to deepen the values... I set a black and white layer and noticed most everything in the image was in the midtone and not enough darks, thank you so much for your feedback regardless!!
