Mermay WIP

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

I’ve been doing some color comps. I only did two because so far, I’m really content with the results. Here they are:

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

I’ve been painting non-stop and here’s what I’ve come up with:

I lIke #1 but I can’t help but feel that it’s a bit flat. That’s why I can up with #2 to add more drama. In 2 the girl is trying to save the mer-lobster girl. She’s trying to do it discreetly without her mom noticing. I’ll update you guys soon.

[Johanna Kim]

@nyrrylcadiz Wow, you're sooo fast, and sooo good! That ramen looks delicious. I'm still stuck in the concept stage (sigh!). For me, #1 is more clearly communicating its message. The girl is surprised by the mermaid, who's sort of threatening to use her claws for self-defense. I don't think #1 is flat.

Re: #2, I interpret the girl to be shushing the person behind her, and her intent is unclear.

[avfarrar]

@nyrrylcadiz I like version #2 but mixed with the eyebrows on the girl with version #1. Maybe the rim of the bowl could be a little more curved... That little kid is going to eat a LOT of food! :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat:

[avfarrar]

@Johanna-Kim @nyrrylcadiz Yeah. It may be better if the girl is looking at the mer-lobster instead. Your picture is looking awesome! You always do a great job.

[Elena Marengoni]

@nyrrylcadiz Love the idea and the composition! You're using a viewpoint that really helps to communicate the story. I would either make it clearer that the girl is shushing the mermaid (maybe the mermaid looks like she's shouting, with her mouth wide open and maybe the girl is looking at her?) or perhaps help the viewer understand that there is someone in front of the girl to whom she's kinda telling: 'please, keep this a secret, don't tell anyone what I'm doing!'. Maybe we could see the shadow of this person? Anyway, I really love your piece! Really cool and well rendered!

[Amber Lynn Benton]

@nyrrylcadiz The composition is just beautiful - really wonderful use of white to lead the eye through the composition. And the storytelling potential is rich in this piece. However I too find the gaze/interaction between the girl and the mermaid a bit confusing. I don’t think you’ve found just the right solution yet but I believe you will.

Here are two ‘girls looking down in surprise’ that might be good reference:

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

Hi, everyone! Here’s an update on my Mremay piece. I added anpther figure to the illustration in the background. She’s supposed to be the girl’s mother. The girl is supposed to be trying to discreetly scoop up the little lobster mer-girl. I still have a few things to render and tweak but hopefully this will be finished soon.

[Darian]

@nyrrylcadiz looking good! Just wondering if the hand holding the spoon is looking alright . Have tried flipping the image just to confirm it is looking alright?

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Darian thanks for the input! Got any reference images? I’m really having a hard time.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Amber-Lynn-Benton hi! Thank you so much for the images but I think I’ll stick with the scared look for now.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@Johanna-Kim hehe thanks but I have to be honest here. I sort of cheated. I already had the pieces somewhat finished the day before I posted them. I’m not that fast.

[mellebluesworld]

@Darian said in Mermay WIP:

@nyrrylcadiz looking good! Just wondering if the hand holding the spoon is looking alright . Have tried flipping the image just to confirm it is looking alright?

@nyrrylcadiz you did a really great job! I love the idea and composition! But I guess I know what @Darian means. I feel like the hand is upside down. In this position the use of the spoon would be more like a shoveling- on the other hand- kids do that sometimes, so @nyrrylcadiz I guess you chose the position on purpose? I still feel like the bending of the thumb is immoderate. Maybe if you change this, the whole hand would have a different effect on the viewer :).
I myself struggle a lott with drawing hands and feet. If I am unsure about the right angle, position or direction, I look for references on Pinterest or try to take the position my characters are in and to feel how it should be done. If it doesn't work, I take selfies of my hands and fingure positions :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat: . I added some refference links for hand positions . I hope I could help you somehow
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/748019819337988947/
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/748019819331276971/
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/592997475914294065/

[Darian]

@nyrrylcadiz I think your hand is going to be your best friend for this..or ask someone to pose ! nothing like getting a helping hand (no pun intended)

[Amber Lynn Benton]

@nyrrylcadiz No worries. I really think the more downward look and the cropped person in the background help complete that story much better than before. This is one of those pieces you hate to critique because it's so, so wonderful in so many ways! It really is a very, very lovely piece!

[maibutterfly2277]

@nyrrylcadiz I LOVE a. Hope you finish that one too. It's a great illustration!

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

I just tweaked the hands a bit. Still looks odd I must admit but based on my own posing, this should be about right. Anyway... moving on...

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

Had another go with the hands. Now I’m satisfied.

[shinjifujioka]

@nyrrylcadiz The ramen looks delicious! Also, I agree—the hand feels a lot better now. I think I would have been stumped if I were in your situation, lol...I have a hard time figuring out hands.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@shinjifujioka thanks! I’m really happy you like the ramen. yeah, hands are really tough. I’d skip them if I could.