Animation Source Forums

Wow, I'm new at this. I apologize in advance for any typos in this post. Anyhow, who doesn't love critique? Okay, I admit there are some out there who probably are really peeved by it, but I enjoy hearing what my viewers think about my art. Check out my gallery and give me some pointers. I know, I will probably always have problems with anatomy, but I'm slowly improving.

Follow the link to my gallery (no, there are no traps, I promise: no cheap first-grader drawing awaiting to pounce on you at the end of the tunnel)

http://www.animationsource.org/balto/en ... /1251.html

Please rate me on:
-Anatomy
-Impact
-Theme
-Color
-Pose
-Expression
-Background
-And whatever!

Sorry, I know it's a lot. Just tell me what you think.

Amazing job Jett! You're always improving and it's awesome that you love to hear the good and bad come from your viewers!

The only thing I can tell you to try:

-Make your ears a bit longer. Wolves have rather long, large ears, so try making them a bit bigger(but not huge).

-Work with different poses. I've noticed you seem to stay with alot of realistic poses(like most artists do), but it'll probably help your anatomy if you learn to work with crazy poses. Try a pouncing pose, where a wolf is about to pounce on a rabbit, or mouse or something. You don't have to use that pose, it's just an example, but trying new things(even if it means failing at them) will always help you improve.

That's all I can really say for now, hope to see you take these into consideration! Keep up the great work! ^^

Now, that's a lot of quality images Congratulations for all of them, seriously!

Despite browsing through the whole multitude though, there's not much of a constructive criticism I can produce, especially after Metal Head Pup's post (and I positively admire that nickname ).

Just keep on working, practice makes perfect There's much skill and devotion visible already, so just stick to your current ways and you should end up fine. I'd love to be more helpful, but being a complete greenhorn to drawing and such, I can only encourage you to keep developing

Good luck!

She asked for critique, which means your response should be more constructed than a simple sentence. She also asked for any advice for drawing.



Thanks. =]

thankies everybody! I will definitely take all your comments into consideration.

not at all! I appreciate everyone's opinion!

I like your drawings. But if you keep drawing the same thing and way over and over, they are starting to become monotone and it can be rather boring to see. (this is ze troof, I tell ya!)

Try different styles, other than the one you're currently using. You got skill in coloring and ideas for background, ok we saw that, go for something more different. I see you use brushes for your backgrounds quite often, (they are kinda blurry too, and sometimes that makes the character look like cropped from the background or something...) ever tried drawing your own without anything cept the rough or airbrush? Try it! Try more levels of opacity.

As for styles, try something crisp, or realistic. Or cartoony! (I know your current one is, but I see it as more of a mixture since you tend to add fur) Don't know....a painting style. Something really different. 'Cause this is what art is made of, trying new things, experiments.

And for poses....you could give a shot for something more dynamic. The ones you made are nice, but they are too static to "boost" interest in the whole picture, if you get what I mean. (this is more regarding the whole composition, not the way you draw).

Otherwise, keep up the great work. I'm looking forward to seeing more drawings from you!

PS: Please try to detach from the Pample style....she's got nice work, but not every artist you get inspired from has a correct anatomy and you'll learn things wrong. It's good to have a source of inspiration at first, but after a while....well it's becoming obvious. Use real wolves for references.


Sorry if I sounded like a butt, but I'm trying to help. I could go on further but I've put a stop here.

Deni out.

thank you Deni! That helps a lot!
Actually, (I know I sound stupid) I haven't be referencing off of anything, which is probably why my anatomy looks the sad stale way it does. And whenever I do use reference, it's always off of real pictures of wolves and dogs, never other people's art. Thank you oh so much for all the tips!

My biggest critique is that you rely way too much on Photoshop to lure your audience into thinking it's so pretty without focusing on the more important things. Deni is right, it is getting boring.

Try different art styles instead of polishing everything up with airbrushed shading and backgrounds. You need to learn to stop leaning on the pretty soft brushes PS gives you and focus more on interesting poses, different perspectives, improving anatomy and expressing mood a bit better.

And try not to use side poses too much! In the end, you are telling something about your character when you draw it, whether that it's happy or sad or what, and side poses don't help this.

EDIT:



This was basically what I was trying to say in my main premise.

Okay, umm, first of all, I don't use the airbrush for any of my shading. Second of all, what people find important in a picture or luring is opinion-based. Personally, I think that backgrounds make up a major part of the picture, whether you do or not. There is much more to a picture than the character in it, which sometimes my focus of the image overlooks. It takes real artistic know-how and capability to see detail in the surrounding aspects of the image, and NOT just the character.

Making things “pretty” is a form of art, and it’s my form of art whether that appeals to you or not. As far as Photoshop goes, how can I possibly depend way too much on it? It’s simply a tool for creating artwork, and for you information, it’s not the only tool I am capable of using. And in fact, I barely use any of the special brushes Photoshop supplies because I create my own. I’m sorry if you think what I do with Photoshop is boring, but I’ve only been at if for less than a year, and I’m still figuring out new things.

I really do appreciate the keen interest you show in my artwork. It takes a well-trained skilled eye to point out all the flaws, no matter how minor they are because (and you’re right about this) it does contribute greatly to the mood and theme of the final picture. And yes, I know my anatomy and style sucks right now, but it’s a part of the learning process.

Just one quick note, when you criticize somebody, remember to give supporting details of how he or she should improve and not just “I agree with Deni.” Deni gave me full criticism of my work and told me what I had to do to improve. She gave me tips about using brushes and other methods affiliated with Photoshop and how I can use them to make the entire image look better. I can appreciate and respect Deni’s opinion because her intention was to assist me in improving, not tearing me down. If that is not what you meant by your statements, then you have my full apology for misunderstanding you.

Way to show snarky attitude, man, I was only trying to help.

I tried not to basically agree with Deni too much, I just realized that quote applied to a fair chunk of what I said... thus. I gave you tips and things. I don't see how you could miss that.

The reason why I think what you do with Photoshop is boring is because I see it all the time on dA. Sure, you'll get people liking it because they wish they could do the same shiny things, but it's not a very interesting style, in my eyes at least. You also need to work on the core basics instead of the other things - anatomy, angles, perspective, mood.

Don't get me wrong, I never meant to tear you down. I realise my posts can be a bit... grump-filled, I've tried to tone it down and give you the best advice I can, even if I too am learning.

I actually think your work is great, I can't do backgrounds for the life of me. I just think you could expand on your skills a little by trying different methods and styles instead of same-old, same-old.

You misunderstand what I'm trying to get across to you. I don't mean to be harsh or ungrateful for the way to you responded to my post at all. In fact, I'm astonished that you even considered applying your artistic knowledge to the way I represent my images. It really means a lot to me. I just a very sensitive person who's had a very bad day. I don't mean to bring personal matters into this, but by family and friendships falling to pieces, which probably reflects my mood in some of my images. I really do appreciate your interest in my gallery.

Just for the record, Photoshop is a device I use, not for shiny effects, but for painting with (i hope) some skill. There are many people on Balto Source who have it, but don't know how to use it outside the presets. With my art, I only hope that someone will recognize the time and passion I attempt to put into it. Because I have Elements 7, and not the fancy CSR, I don't know really any "really cool" effects. I just draw how I would draw on a traditional canvas.

Anyways, that's all I wanted to say. I don't want to go professional or anything. I've been to art school and found it wasn't for me. (Yes, I've been rejected many times )I'm sorry if you took my post the wrong way. I think we just misunderstood each other's motives.