critique request

[Phil Cullen]

Hello all, I was working on this piece and I got to the stage where I'm liking what I have. I normally let it sit for a couple of days and then come back to it to see if anything jumps out and to make changes or finishing touches and what not.

Anyway if anyone would like to have a look and offer any advice/suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

[Coreyartus]

Phill, I think this is a really interesting piece. It intrigues me because I think there is obviously a story behind this image that I'm not aware of... It raises SO many questions: What is that thing? What's important about the jewel? Is that a rabbit? is that creature from under water?

I'm personally not sure how to offer advice because I don't quite know what's happening enough to determine whether your storytelling is effectively communicating what you want. Also, because I don't know that context, I can't offer you any sort of technical advice either... For example, I'd say the top half/background of your image is a bit bright if you want a "glowy light effect" from the jewel... But I don't know if the story actually needs it to be... I'd also say that you could probably enhance the "roundness" or "form" of the large creature in accordance with the level of depth you've suggested in the red-caped figure, because it seems a little flat? Maybe?

I can say the plants and level of detail you've got throughout that you've got so far is gorgeous. It looks very refined thus far. I'm just not quite sure whether that's good... or bad... or how someone can help you... hehe....

[Phil Cullen]

@Coreyartus Thanks so much for your feedback. I glad you mentioned 'roundness' of the larger character, I think you are right the face is quite flat.

I'm afraid there is no big story behind it, I was just trying to get back into the swing of things after a long break over the new year and grabbed an inktober drawing to practice some painting. I suppose I was going for a mystical look lol

[peteolczyk]

@Phil-Cullen
Was there an inktober prompt that went with the original Phil?

[romy]

Hi Phill! I just wanted to say that I really like your work with greenery and the foresty cape of the creature. Reminds me a bit of Ghibli's Chihiro's spectre creature merged with Mononoke's forest universe. Looks fun.

I'd probably work a bit on the mood - I can't quite read it (threatening, surprise, good, bad?) and the background is a bit flat. Perhaps working on the lighting will fix both?

But I agree with Coreyartus - it makes me really curious to know the story.

[Phil Cullen]

@peteolczyk the original sketch was for the first inktober prompt 'ring', there was a ring in the middle instead of a diamond jewel thing.

[Phil Cullen]

@Finn I'm so glad to hear it reminds you of a Ghibli creature. I can see what you mean about mood. I did leave it quite vague as it could be interpreted as threatining, suprise, good or bad as you say. I can see now I probably should have made a specific decision, as playing it safe and not deciding has left it confusing. Thank you for your feedback, very much appreciated. I will play around with it when I get the chance and upload some progress.

Cheers

[romy]

@Phil-Cullen Glad it helped, keep up the good work!

[peteolczyk]

@Phil-Cullen I remember it now. I get your image, because I follow and love your work and I can see how it fits with the theme of your art. To me it’s a bit like when you see an image from an artists sketchbook which might not be strictly speaking illustration, as it’s not necessarily answering a specific brief or story. But it is very typical of your art so to me it doesn’t matter, it makes sense to me. Maybe a snippet of a story waiting to happen.
I especially like the foliage details and I really like this forest monster. They look like a helpful forest troll.

[Phil Cullen]

@peteolczyk Yea I suppose when I was initially sketching back in inktober I did have the idea that it was a little rabbit like character starting a quest of some sort and getting help from a magical spiritual creature, something that may look scary but was actually harmless and helpful in some sort of way. So the little rabbit character would be some what cautious. As I said there is no bigger story behind this but I'm always interested in hearing how it can be interpreted and spark a story in someone else. Thanks for the feedback.

[Neha Rawat]

@Phil-Cullen Wow! This is great! I love the character designs and the story is indeed intriguing. Since I'm not aware of the plot, I'm seeing this as a stand alone illustration and commenting as such-
My main feedback is regarding the creature. I feel level of detailing in the creature should be at par with what you've done in the foliage and the rabbit. I understand it's a larger area to cover but maybe try and get a little contrast on the creature?
The creature looks like it's made of a furry carpet-y blanket of grass, so a little more definition to the coat would really enhance the dimension.
Great work! Would love to know more about the story

[Phil Cullen]

@Neha-Rawat Thanks so much for the feedback, I totally agree. I'm working on definging the furry blanket of grass. Much appreciated

[Zachary Drenski]

Hi @Phil-Cullen love your work man. I just want to throw out there that I like these kind of intriguing illustrations as stand alone pieces. That said, I'm not an editor so I'm not giving portfolio advice, but I think a lot of people on the internet, like myself, love seeing this kind of art.

I think you could strengthen the composition by cropping it so the creature isn't directly in the middle of the page. That's my one critique, take it with a grain of salt, because I know you have skills and vision. Looking forward to seeing more

[Phil Cullen]

@Zachary-Drenski Oh I see what you mean with the composition, I think I can trim a bit off the side, cheers for the feedback. I should be able to get back to this in the next day or 2 i'll post some progress.

[Phil Cullen]

Made some progress, thanks everyone for the feedback!