May: Adrift at Sea

Neha Rawat

This is so wonderful! I love how you've morphed the story from your initial thumbnail and I agree, this is much more interesting! Great design on all the houses!
There are a few things that are seemingly contradictory to me. (You've created such a beautiful piece already so please feel free to ignore if you don't feel the same)

I'm just wondering if it feels "hot" with a dark blue sky. It looked more cohesive with the warmer purple sky.
The right half of the illustration seems more dynamic because of the fisherman's slanting pose (looks like he's walking against wind), flying beard, and slanting clouds. The left half looks very still mainly because the hanging ladder, anchor are not in motion.
Lovely piece none the less! I really love the character design and detailing!

EliaMurrayArt

@Neha-Rawat you are so right!!! Ugh I totally forgot about the wind and the ladder!!

I'll play with the sky color to see if I can bring it back to a warmer night feel.

Thank you!! Much appreciated

DaveLeekArt

Super cool concept and wonderful image! I love this idea. I really like the look of your fisherman too. Good luck with your entry!

EliaMurrayArt

@Bricz-Art thanks!!

baileyvidler

@EliaMurrayArt This is SO good! I feel like the sand adds so much to the story. Happy accidents! Can I ask how you got that wonderful texture in the sky?

EliaMurrayArt

@baileymvidler that is a watercolor brush in procreate. My favorite to use because it functions much like actual watercolor. It’s from the Max pack by Max Ulichney.

But you can also use photo/scan of watercolor paper and set it to overlay or multiply for a similar effect.

EliaMurrayArt

@Neha-Rawat once I moved the ladder it totally felt more alive!! It also made me want to add tumbleweeds. Thank you for unlocking a little brain block for me!

Here’s a little more progress this morning.

Alternate sky?

EliaMurrayArt

I think my values need to be pushed.... here’s a darker sky. I’m not sure... I think it’s getting muddy...

Neha Rawat

Oh yeah! The flying ladder definitely brings it to life! Awesome! I think I'd make the fishing line flying taut as well since his beard conveys pretty strong winds (and maybe the anchor just a little at an angle in the background).

I personally like the purple sky tint. Love the tumbleweed detail!

EliaMurrayArt

@Neha-Rawat so far you haven’t steered me wrong! I forgot about the anchor haha I’ll adjust!

sarahlash

@EliaMurrayArt I love the darker sky! It really makes your house pop. It’s so atmospheric and beautiful.

EliaMurrayArt

@sarahlash thank you!! I'll see if I can drift it more purple as @Neha-Rawat suggests and make a happy balance.

Jeremy Ross

Hi @EliaMurrayArt, I used the same brushes for my May piece! I love your piece and agree with @Neha-Rawat comments on the wind. Maybe you can add some wind, flying sand, and few other things flying?

Coley

Oh. Gorgeous. I'm jealous once more LoL! Really hits the isolation feeling! I agree with the comments from Neha but it's looking super.

EliaMurrayArt

@Jeremy-Ross thank you! yes it's my favorite brush set! I'll give the wind blowing sand a shot! (though I'll admit that sounds tough haha)

and thank you @Coley

Kevin Longueil

@EliaMurrayArt This is looking great! - for feedback i did a quick cut and paste of your image (i hope you don't mind) - the main thing i was thinking might be worth trying was isolating the fisherman on that side of the canvas in a sort of "steelyard composition" by removing the background elements in that area - the other thing that i was thinking was to possibly desaturate the sky a bit so the red of the coat becomes the clear winner in the warmth department - feel free to ignore! - it looks great as is

EliaMurrayArt

@Kevin-Longueil that's a really good suggestion - I'll play around with it! I do see how that could totally increase the feeling of "aloneness"

@EliaMurrayArt The expanse of boats has a feeling of aloneness, too, as if the lake has abandoned them. It has a devastating feel to it that I think touches on climate change. With only three, it seems more accidental.

EliaMurrayArt

I am so so very much appreciating these comments!

Opinions? Votes? It's changed so much and it's been so exciting. I'm feeling a little illustration high right now. no rash decisions shall be made by me haha

baileyvidler

I'm personally feeling the bottom one. The bottom one puts a lot more space between each of the houses, which feels more isolated to me. I am obsessed with this piece!