Giving this contest thing a go!

[Janette]

I'm so encouraged by everyones comments. Thank you so much!

[Sabrina Gosselin]

@Janette omg as adorable as this is, this is literally my 3-year-old's nightmare I can't offer any other crit than what has already been said (add a few elements to her attire if you're aiming for a bit more fantasy-ish - or maybe that can be done with unique colouring?) but it's so well done!

[Janette]

@Sabrina-Gosselin Thank you so much. I planned on doing clashing colours and patterns on her clothing, and changing her footwear to cowboy boots. I'm sure she'll tell me what she needs to be

[Melissa_Bailey]

@Janette LOVE this!

Yes, it doesn't seem fairytale enough at the moment. Could you adjust the character, make her clothes less modern? Is she your take on a well-known fairytale character? Or what if you put a crown on both her and the frog, and the Frog Prince is giving up her location because she refused to kiss him?

You could also adjust the environment so it looks more fantastical. You could also play with scale more too, and that might make it read more fairytale.

In fact, why not make the mosquitos even bigger? You have the room and that would really play up the humor of her swatter not being big enough (and add to the tension).

Just some thoughts. This piece is super strong as it is. Super excited to see where you take it!

[Janette]

@Melissa-Bailey-0 Great ideas! Thank you!

[Janette]

Well I'm probably going to have nightmares now after looking at loads of reference photos for mosquitoes. Made me feel itchy, then I saw something out of the corner of my eye and there was a little green caterpillar making its way across my arm lol. Yep, nightmares. I brought this upon myself.

Anyway, put down some more solid marks. Took into consideration some of the comments you guys made. It's coming along!

[BradAYoo]

This is looking fantastic Janette!

[Janette]

@BradAYoo Thank you! I hope I dont mess it up when I come to the inking now!

[ruth]

This is looking so good! And I just love the little frog Can't wait to see the finished piece.

[demotlj]

I love this piece. My only suggestion is that you might have her eyes looking up and back a little as if she is considering the mosquitos coming at her instead of looking at the swatter. Other than that, it's got such great characters and dynamism and story elements -- it's really stellar.

[Janette]

@demotlj Oh, yes, I went back and forth about that. I think I settled on her looking at the fly swatter to emphasis the 'this is not going to be enough' thought. But, I'll play with the eyes and see which ones looks better. lol pardon the pun.

[Janette]

Here's a progress image. I've been working in Procreate for a year or so now, but have always done more of a softer, watercoloury style. So this painterly thing is a bit new to me, as is adding the shadows! Yikes! lol But, yay for learning and growing! Lots more to do still.

[Valerie Light]

I love the way you're using pattern in the fields of color like the sky, dirt, and hair. Very cool!

[Janette]

@Valerie-Light Thank you! I do these crazy tiny detailed abstract ink drawings (see below) for fun and art shows and I've been wanting to try and combine the two styles for a while. Trying to make them a bit more unique. This is only the second time I've done that. Encourged by your comment

[Kim Rosenlof]

@Janette Wow! Do you scan these patterns in to use in your illustrations?

[Janette]

@Kim-Rosenlof No, I just use the pencil brush and do it on a separate layer in Procreate.

[Janette]

OK, soooooo, do I have her looking at the swatter, the mosquito, or the frog?

[lizardillo]

I would say frog or swatter, but frog would be my first choice. In a kind of “I can’t believe it’s such a telltale!” kind of way.

[Janette]

@lizardillo Thank you!

[K.Flagg]

Yep I vote frog too.