Crit / advice needed on this illustration please

KaraDaniel

@Abigail-Hookham I think the colors are great!

Jacy13

@Abigail-Hookham Beautiful colors! I do think I prefer the bottom dark like this though. The previous version made my eyes go directly to the octopus; making it the focal point. I think it was because that was the highest area of contrast in the image. This one makes it clear that the girl is the focal point

Griffin McPherson

I think for depth you could darken the closer trees a bit. Another thought I just had is extending the water into the background because right now it looks like the girl is sort of contained in a cylinder of water. I think you’re right about removing the octopus, I think it distracted more than it added to the piece. I felt that the space below the girl was a bit empty and my eye kept going there because of this so I added a bit of pant stuff for a rough idea of how that could be filled. I also darkened the fish because I thought it might help tie in the the lower area of the painting with the upper area. Hope this helps, really love the look of this piece. Glad to have you join the community!

carlianne

okay maybe I'm just a crazy person, but it felt like she was on the edge holding on. So, crazy idea, if you want you could give it a rim and made it look like she was in and out of the water, like it was a glass?

Also, I think you can keep the octopus if you just move him off to the side.

I love the color pallete! Excited to see what you do here.

donnamakesart

When it comes to surreal colors, the emotion drives the palette so what do you want this piece to feel like? Then maybe we could tell you if your on the right track @Griffin ’s added leaves and darkened fishes are also good advice but it depends on your intent.

Aside from that, great illustration. I love everything about it. Can’t wait to see it finished. Please teach me sempai haha.

Abigail Hookham

@Griffin Thanks for your feedback and I think the fish work so much better darker, thank you for that suggestion! Also agree with the plant life at the bottom, will add that in before I paint! Thank you

Abigail Hookham

@carlianne Haha! You are not crazy, the water is contained in a cylindrical form. I just didn't paint it in as I honestly thought everyone was going to focus on my colours saying they were too 'out there' ! If you look closely you will see the elipse in the sketch around the top and the line of water under her nose etc. I do like your suggestion of moving the Octopus off centre but maybe feel he still is too much of an attention seeker! I'm tempted to leave him in but massively hidden by the plant life and really tone down his colour - so he is there for those who find him, but not anything that would detract from the main image. Thank you for your feedback though! I can't believe iv'e only just joined this community - this is so helpful!

Abigail Hookham

@donnamakesart This is a very good point, I am going for a dream-like image. Calm and stillness is the vibe. Like she is very much at peace in her surroundings whilst clearly not fitting in with the 'norm', in a bit of a magical way.

Pamela Fraley

@Abigail-Hookham that I gorgeous. I don’t really have anything to say except that I love it! Is it done traditionally?

Abigail Hookham

@Pamela-Fraley Oh thank you but this is just a super quick colour rough that I did digitally! The actual illustration is being painted traditionally! Will share progress of it - probably on this thread - when I have it to share!

KajsaH

I love how serene and magical this piece feels! I think in whichever direction you choose to take it, it's going to be a beautiful illustration and I love love LOVE the colours! Welcome to the forum!