In Lieu of Critique Arena...
-
Hi folks,
In lieu of Critique Arena I'm finding other illustration competitions to enter. I'd love a critique on my entry to CYA's competition — the theme was "Dreamland". I ran out of time with this one so although this is what I submitted I'm actually going to re-paint it. But in terms of everything else, the concept, composition, colour, etc I'd love a serious critique!
P.S. Is anyone else interested in doing this too? Critique Arena has left a huge hole in my life. I used it as a way to make portfolio pieces to a deadline and it forced me to hold my work to a higher standard. I appreciate that How to Fix your Art is fulfilling a need that CA wasn't but it doesn't do either of those things for me. Does anyone know of any illustration competitions for May and June? The next one I've been able to find isn't until July (The NEWC Illustration Prize).
I'd appreciate any feedback you have!
the site: katherinetyson.com
instagram: instagram.com/katherinetysonart -
@Katherine SCBWI has a monthly competition called Draw This. This month's is theme is "bubble." There are others too, though they aren't coming to mind off hand. If I remember the one I'm trying to think of, I'll post it here later.
-
Hi Katherine!
I absolutely love your concept! And think it's a great idea to keep looking for more contests to keep create work for your portfolio.
The thing that called out to me on this piece is that there should be more definition between the background, mid ground, and fore ground. Having that stark contrast would really push the storytelling aspect and clarify what the viewer should look at first. You created a very fantastical world so it's important guiding the viewer through what you'd like them to look at 
Here are some draw overs I did to break down the values:
I'm a sucker for highlighting focal points in my illustrations! It really puts an exclamation point on what you want people to focus on.
Keep up the amazing work!!
-
@Katherine I’m really enjoying the style of this piece! The first thing that comes to mind for me is it’s a bit hard to read the story and what’s going on. AjugaBee’s critique of the different planes might be part of that, but maybe there are other elements that could be added/expanded that would help inform some of the details, such as
- What are the tickets for? Is there an amusement park back there? Something else?
- I assume she’s dreaming, but is there some way her bed has traveled that could be shown? Maybe it’s on wheels or has just landed after flying through the air? Or maybe she’s just teleported, in which case, it just being there make sense. (Kinda just brainstorming here.)
On a more technical note:
- How does the ground she’s on connect to the stairs? They look a little disconnected to me, almost like the stairs are floating.
These are the things that immediately come to mind for me. I think it’s tough in a whimsical fantastical story to make things simultaneously make sense and make no sense at the same time. But I think the style lends itself to the subject matter and I’m really liking all the line work and color you’ve chosen.
-
@Katherine can anyone enter the newc contest? Or do you have to be a member?
-
There is a new Picturehooks competition this month. It is a character type challenge two drawings of the same character quiet then loud. https://www.picturehooks.org.uk/new-picture-hooks-competition-with-a-twist/
-
@LauraA Thanks Laura, I've always resisted becoming a member of SCBWI but maybe it's time!
-
@AjugaBee Thanks Annalise, I can really see that! I'll have another play with the values and colour study
-
@skeletortoise Thank you for your feedback — I deliberately didn't describe the concept to see if people would get it
The concept is that the characters in Dreamland are waiting for the little girl to go to sleep but she's staying up late reading a book. I can see why the "Tickets" might be confusing because that's a hold-over from the original concept, which I changed mid-way through to this one. I decided to keep it for flavour anyway though because in this illustration Dreamland is essentially a carnival.Yeah the stairs, I was trying to be minimalist with the architecture but I don't know how to pull that off it seems
Will try something else!the site: katherinetyson.com
instagram: instagram.com/katherinetysonart -
@AngelinaKizz I don't think you have to be a member but I've only seen that one page on their website, which doesn't have much information.
-
@geekinm Thank you! I'll add this one to my list
-
@geekinm Picture Hooks! That's the one I was trying to think of! Thanks!
-
@Katherine I love that concept!
Maybe having the girl still in her room below and the Dreamland characters are looking down at her? Possibly have her in the foreground and they are visible above her with an up-angle shot? I hope that makes sense haha. Just ideas for ways to make it read easier on first viewing.
I think the ticket booth is totally cool as long as the primary concept reads though. Maybe even have the characters closer to her, looking at her pointedly? Just brainstorming.
Looking forward to seeing more from you; this style is so fun!
