Sammy the Squirrel - First Attempt at Attempting a First

[Casual-T]

Alright, so I'm biting the bullet and will dare to post my first non-classwork related piece of... uhm... art?! I've been perusing various beginner classes over the last two months, and tried to apply some of the things I've learned to this little fella. I shall name him/her/it Sammy the Squirrel. Feel free to offer advice on how to improve, or what I could/should do differently/better. I know the forum is chock-full with people who know a thing or two about a thing or three. Your time and expertise is much appreciated. Here goes nothing...

[krcart]

@Casual-T
I think that your picture is great!
As a beginner my critique might not hold much weight. One thing I have been trying to incorporate into my artwork is story, “ what is happening in my picture “ I would ask you the same question. Storytelling makes a picture appealing to the imagination.

[Heather Boyd]

@Casual-T

If the nut is more your focus -up the contrast on that. Right now your Sammy and his/her nut are of the same value and the tree or branch he/she is sitting on is a bit darker and it also has more detail with the lines added. It is about what you want to focus on to add more story. His/her eye has sparkle detail clarity to it as well.

[Casual-T]

@krcart said in Sammy the Squirrel - First Attempt at Attempting a First:

@Casual-T
Storytelling makes a picture appealing to the imagination.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I agree with you 100%. Storytelling makes all the difference. To be honest, I simply wanted to see if I could pull of an illustration—ANY illustration. I'm still focusing on (and struggling with) the basics. So just to see that Sammy the Squirrel actually came out looking somewhat like a squirrel, made my day. Baby steps, I guess...

-T

[Casual-T]

@Heather-Boyd said in Sammy the Squirrel - First Attempt at Attempting a First:

@Casual-T

If the nut is more your focus -up the contrast on that.

Thanks much for taking the time to respond, Heather. Your suggestion is very helpful. There are SO many things that need to be considered, to turn an alright image into something better. I know that with practice many of these things will become second nature, but for the moment I'm glad if I remember half a percent of one percent of two thirds of all the stuff that goes into a great illustration.

-T

[Heather Boyd]

@Casual-T Don't worry about it. I've returned to traditional and it hit me today as I was using coloured gouache and adding white to the colours that yellows really are a very light value. Maybe in your next work or go back in this one if its digital and up the contrast and add just one element extra for storytelling. Don't work on everything but work on one thing more for the next time. I'm trying.

I also use to do some close up photography -so I like your bud flower coming out of the ground.