I've changed the composition as per suggestion and added a story element. They're now postal workers on their rounds. It's a little slapdash but it's a little tricky to add a story in later. Lesson for the future: Consider story from the beginning!
@IanS Hey Ian - i just checked out your website - really nice work! I really like this drawing too - i definitely agree with @theprairiefox and @xin-li about shifting the character compositionally and think it looks great now that you have done so - i was thinking that adding the ground to the image could give room to flesh out the story a bit more (very much like the first image on your portfolio page) - in my scribbly/cut-and-pastey draw over i tried to tilt the perspective of the cloud the wizard is riding to allow a view of the ground plane and a little village below - (I googled swiss mountain village and mashed two photos together 
I'm thinking it could really add to and change the story depending on what you put below - i tried a village in front of the wizard but i really could not seem to make it work - anyways... i hope you don't mind the draw over - really nice image!
@Kevin-Longueil: Thanks so much for taking the time to do this draw over. I really appreciate it! I love the addition of the envelop in the lizards mouth. The new perspective of the cloud definitely invites more options for the background. The background you've added is great! You've given me lots to think about which is exactly what I needed. Thanks again!
@IanS "consider story from the beginning!" should be my next tattoo
@josegalue25 My next tattoo may read "Composition first detail later!"
I've kept the sketch much looser this time as adding lots of detail at this stage is proving to be a really effective way of wasting time! I was really inspired by @Kevin-Longueil's draw over and tweaked it a little. Also replaced the lizard with another postal helper (Starting to look more and more like Santa which is fitting considering the time of year) and instead of letters spilling out the bag the elf is releasing them magic style! Am I getting there?
Latest comp. I moved everything down as I didn't like how close the wizard was to the top frame. I've also added a quick value layer to separate foreground, midground and background. Any feedback welcome. I'll be starting the final artwork soon I think. As Mr Parker says "Finished not perfect!"
I've been away from the forum for awhile and just read through this thread. What an incredible development from your original sketch. I thought the original was good but by the time I scrolled through and got to your latest, I was really impressed. Can't wait to see it finished.
@demotlj: Thank you! I've had a lot of great feedback along the way.
@IanS This is amazing. Can I ask how you got those perspective lines in the drawing? Are you in Photoshop?
@Laurel-Aylesworth: Hi Laurel. Thank you very much! I'm using Clip Studio paint which has perspective rules. 1, 2 and 3 point perspective.
@IanS looking good! Excited to see it in color!
Thanks @KaraDaniel!
Progress is going slowly but I'm getting there. I'm definitely spending too long on this!
Latest comp. I moved everything down as I didn't like how close the wizard was to the top frame. I've also added a quick value layer to separate foreground, midground and background. Any feedback welcome. I'll be starting the final artwork soon I think. As Mr Parker says "Finished not perfect!"
