CURRENTLY LISTENING TO: Take That - Nobody Else
Alrighty! I was bored tonight so I asked a friend of mine (Aneko-sama; a.k.a. Aneko-chan as I like to call her) on Gaia if I could critique her art - as I had nothing better to do. I'm going to try and be very even and constructive with my criticism, and I'm aiming to stay AWAY from nitpicking, which is something I find myself doing subconsciously. Let's hope I don't do something like that and "enrage" this artist. Ahem! On with the critique already! Seesh, Kaze, what the hell is wrong with you anyway?
TOPICS TO DISCUSS:
1. Line Quality
2. Proportion/Anatomy
3. Cropping
4. Aesthetics
1, LINE QUALITY:
I guess, as someone who stresses a lot on inking, this is a pretty big issue. Normally, I would let something like this slide, because over-all, this image was wonderfully done. However, the line on Sesshoumaru's furi is a bit thicker than the rest of the line quality in the image. Something about that makes the whole image look a bit messy. So you have two choices here. (a) Keep a steady hand or (b) add line quality. By adding that, it instantly makes the drawing look a hundred times neater than it already is. Sample: [X]
2. PROPORTION/ANATOMY:
I think, proportion-wise, it looks great. Just a few pointers here. (1) The joint that connected the upper arm with the lower should either fit right in the dent where the waist pinches in, or it should be just above that. Kagura's upper arm is a bit too short, and her shoulders are too broad for her waist. The shoulder should align with the pelvic bone.
Sesshoumaru's left shoulder is broader than his right, and they should be equal in length when being viewed straight-on. Perspective-wise, Sesshoumaru's left shoulder should be smaller, as it is facing away from the viewer and his right shoulder should be bigger and slightly longer as it is facing me.
For anatomy, you've got a pretty good grasp of it. However, it seems as though Kagura's breasts are sagging. It should be pulled up a bit so that it's perky and youthful as she is. I suggest drawing them completely naked first before adding the clothes and the accessories. Otherwise, the face is wonderful. You'd might want to add a bit more oomph to back of Sesshoumaru's head.
Both of the figures also seem a bit pudgy, hence making them look younger than they originally are. Sesshoumaru, being a man (male-youkai) should have more angular features, such as the profile of his brow should be sharper than Kaguras as well as his chin. You did a good job with making his mouth slightly bigger and thinner.
3. CROPPING:
I don't have a lot to say in this, because I think your cropping is great, but if there's a part you feel you're having trouble with, you can always cut it off. Just make sure you don't crop at any joints or the figure will become awkward... just something I learned from my illustration teachers as well as through personal experience... not that my stuff are any better...
4. AESTHETICS:
Again, don't have much to say about this except that I ADORE the rendering you did with Sesshoumaru's hair. The details on Kagura's kimono is exquisite, and so is Sesshoumaru's. I also loved her earrings and her hair decoration. Sesshoumaru's mokomoko might need a bit more work, but the shadowing on his armor is great. As for the atmosphere, it's would have been perfect for Naraku in his baboon pelt, but not in this sweet romantic scene that's going on.
General Comments:
Over all, I actually enjoyed this picture. Like every romance scene, it's soft and very fluffy. Sesshoumaru's expression is perfect. It's not overly dramatized like some Sesshoumaru romance scenes, which makes it so legible. The shadowing job you did in their kimono was great, though it sort of becomes redundant as I see no light source in the image. Other than that, everything else is great. I wouldn't mind saving it on my computer... that is if you don't mind.
Extra random comment:
And for the record, yes, the example I gave under "Line Quality" is my own work. I couldn't find one that I could readily link images. I know it sucks, but All the proportion is right. - Feel free to object to any of the comments I gave you for your picture, I'm willing to listen.
Community Member
I prefer the critisism - it helps the artist grow in skill (I should place a real early example of my pieces to show what I think is growth). By not being honest, the artist doesn't get any better (if that made sense).
Now, as for the critique...
- the pudgyness you mentioned; it's just my own style of drawing. Doesn't matter what fanart I'm doing or if I consciously keep in mind that the characters are older (leaner/thinner), etc - they always come out more plush then they appear in their respective series.
- the lines are always much better in the original sketch, but since I redraw the lines digitally, they always tend to vary in thickness and waver a tad. Trying to correct that with practice.
- thank you for the instructions on anatomy (and angles/proportions)! ::hugs:: I'll be sure to keep your pointers in mind with my next sketch. smile
-the background, I should have explained before sending you to the image. I wanted to go for a dreamlike look for this (so, they're not in miasma or anything, it's more my idea of a mimsical dreamlike thing). Though who's dreaming in the image, I leave up entirely to the viewer.
What else...
- light sources. I cannot explain how much I hate those things. I know they're present in every image and they should be added in for more effect, but I have always had trouble with those. I always try to envision one light source into any piece I do, but it always comes out wrong (my light sources coem from all over the place). It annoys people, it annoys me - but I am trying. :sweatdrops: