W.I.P. October contest feedback welcome

[StudioLooong]

Here are my tone and color studies for my misunderstood monster. I found it really challenging to try to get the warm colors of the monster to mesh with the cool cave but I think that the last one (starred) is starting to work. I'm not sure if I'll go with this one or try out a few more. This is the first composition with a full background that I have attempted and also the first time I've done tone/color studies but I think I'll keep it up because this was a super helpful exercise that will save me a ton of time on the final paint.

[LauraA]

@studiolooong Something is drawing me to 2 and 4, for what it's worth.

[rcartwright]

I like 2 the coloring feels like it could have a magical fantasy feel when you apply the lighting to the monster

[Heather Boyd]

@studiolooong I like numbers 2, 5, 6.

[StudioLooong]

Thanks everyone! I tried to incorporate a little of what I like about the last one into #2 and came up with this color study, @rcartwright I get what you're saying about it having a bit more of a fantasy feel, wondering if this one is working better than the previous ones?

[StudioLooong]

So this is my first large-scale paint with a background, let me know if you see any areas that I could improve, I think it still needs some cleaning up and I don't know if I got the contrast right.

[A Former User]

This looks great, I really like the lighting coming down into the cave, you've got that spot on. Maybe the character needs some lighting on the top of his neck and tail too?
Great stuff

[StudioLooong]

@hannahmccaffery Yeah thanks, I can definitely add some highlights on top monster!

[Heather Boyd]

@studiolooong I like the subtle textures (rocks, the fur and the lions pants) and I appreciate the head cut emotionally charged but not gory.

[StudioLooong]

@heather-boyd thanks so much, I liked the idea of the monster crying over the head but I was afraid that it may be too gross so I worked really hard to play down the gore as much as possible. Glad it isn't coming across as too gross (even though it is a severed head)!

[StudioLooong]

Some more slight adjustments:

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