Hi, everybody! It’s the holidays again and as for someone who still attends classes, it’s a great time to get drawing. I’ve recently came up with the piece below. I feel it’s a bit out of place with the christmas season and snow but I really liked the idea of a grandma unwinding a bit. I actually came up with the idea during Slowvember but I didn’t use it. Instead, I chose that bike piece. As you can see, I’ve already started painting on the piece. I wanted to create this calm, laid-back, happy atmosphere. I’m feeling good about the grandma and the girl. However, I’m having a hard time with the pool of water. I don’t know how to add the reflections given the presence of the shadows. I don’t know how to show the water ripples. I don’t know how to show the refraction of objects under water. I don’t know a lot of things when it comes to water. That is why I’m asking for your guys’ help. How can i improve the piece? Do you have any suggestions or critiques? I would love to hear what you think. Thank you so much.

@kat thank you ️

Thanks! I actually dont know if these values work.. im gonna try something else

@irina These are great questions to consider, some of which I should have thought of and didn’t. Like the idea that the picture reads from right to left rather than left to right. I might try and reverse the image to see what it looks like then. There is much to be worked on and I can see how leaving room for text would be important. Thank you for comments.

@art-of-b I am not sure of how to describe the improvement - but i think i am drawing better than i was a year ago.... Was not thinking i would be posting any more Oz stuff here but i think this might be a good example of my possible progress

@hannahmccaffery I have to add one to my list as it's something I've just recently discovered, while I've been researching the history of comics. And that's 8-Deer "Tiger’s Claw" from The Codex Nuttall. It's a historical illustrated story about a Hero King from around AD 700 set in the Oaxaca Valley. Don't know who the artist is. It's an amazing panoramic layout - a long comic book. I just love all the vibrant colours, shapes, symbols and the profile character style.

@jabbernewt That gave me a laugh. What a fun Christmas present.

Digitally painted my 'Beaumont Bandit' ink illustration that I drew a few years ago. I was trying to update our son's school mascot as it needed a makeover. This is probably the third iteration of it, and I am finally happy with it, at least till tomorrow!

Here's my Christmas illustration for this year. I drew this one a few years ago in ink and decided to give it the digital treatment. I hope that you all have a safe and merry holiday season, and I'll see you all next year!

You've got some really nice designs here, yes! As @swordofodin kinda touched on, the only problems seem to stem from this particular composition, where the silhouettes of the characters overlap and become less distinct from each other. The only thing I picked up on besides that was a small detail where the thumb-knuckle on the leftmost character seems to jut out a bit obtusely, but that's such a small thing that it's negligible. This it really good stuff! Proportions are well-done, the characters are inviting, (especially on the fingers!) and the outfits are simple enough to be easily-read, yet complex enough to be interesting-- though I'd agree with one of the earlier comments that a little trinket here or there might help add a bit more information. (whether you add some or not is totally up to you!) I look forward to hearing how this job goes for you!

Really lovely

This is such a beautiful piece! There is something really special about it that I can’t quite put my finger on, it just really evokes a strong mood. It has so much impact for a composition reflecting stillness. The one critique I could offer is similar to the one above - the area around the pinky finger of the hand on her lap. The area of the hand just after the pinky finger ends seems to bulge out and is too thick in proportion to the rest of the hand. That area of the hand would not be so thick on a girl of her size, and would further compress when laying on her lap. I thinking correcting that may make other issues disappear, except the pinky knuckle highlight which may still be a bit too strong. Otherwise, really incredible piece of work.

Day 06 - Buddy the Christmas Hound, Santas best friend. Not much more to say about this loyal friend.

Thank you so much

I saw a large drawer cabinet in an antique store once. It was glorious and huge. Someday.

I'm trying to add some more artistic/rough texture to my render, not sure if it's working.... any tips?

Day 8 A child is born!

@nyrrylcadiz Thank you! I am not seeing which angle of it is odd. Could you please clarify? I wanted the wind to be blowing from the right to the left to give it a little movement but I'm not great at drapery and skirts always confuse me. Any more feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Finished the rendering of the Christmas Misfit.

@chrisaakins I finally got to see him live in November and the show was amazing! He's my fave Yeah, I don't know too many people who know him even though they might've heard his more popular songs before. I force my friends and family to listen to him, lol