Since you're so new at this, maybe do some studies? I say this because you gotta get used to the programs you're using. Also because you're at a stage where literally any action will lead to improvement.
Doing studies can be a great way to explore different styles as well. Find some art you like and copy it.

You might want to try out Affinity Designer (which is similar to Adobe Illustrator). https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/designer/
With Designer, you can create vector shapes, and apply raster textures or brushes.

"Switch between full featured vector and raster workspaces ... Add raster brush texture to your illustrations, ... mask and add grain to your crisp vectors"

I can't remember for sure (since I have both), but you might need to get Affinity Photo as well as Affinity Designer in order to use the raster features in Designer.

I was very excited when I saw that you can work with vector & raster in the same program. I'm just a beginner with this, but you can check out their website for examples.
At the website above, scroll down to "Vector or raster, you decide" & you can toggle the raster effects on & off to see the difference on a vector illustration.
Here's a short demo video that shows how you can paint raster images, or apply a raster texture to a vector shape in Designer: https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/tutorials/designer/desktop/video/338830412/

Affinity can export as (save as) all the major file types, including .psd — I haven't personally tried sending a .psd file to someone who uses Photoshop, so I can't vouch for it, but I really like the Affinity programs.

Days 19 through 23!!

19.jpg

20.jpg

21.jpg

22.jpg

23.jpg

I like the render quality in the background and the lava in the paws, but i think that most of the problems are with the fundamentals of the drawing. The anatomical structure of the lion is kinda off and i think that you are shooting yourself in the foot while trying a complicated perspective for a piece that is really demanding on textures and lighting. Its obvious the amount of love you put in a project, but i think that your focus should be on the foundations rather than the finishing touches.

Hello everybody, it's been a while!
A couple months ago I posted a few pieces about a mini series I was doing of Lions that made up the 4 elements.
I've just about finished the final one which is fire but I just would like some feedback. I really like it, but something feels off to me and I feel like it's because there isn't enough contrast between the background sky and the foreground rock or if it's between the rock and the lion. Perhaps is that there is too much detail in the background and it needs simplifying? Maybe it's all of the above...
Another set of eyes would help.
Thanks in advance
Chris

Screenshot 2021-09-01 at 18.44.13.pngi

@robbery Great start! Cool concept 🙂

would experiment with separating the outline of the head and the scene. see attached image.

Tone down the lined shading on the computer *Top Left

Vary the linework to bring the computer room forward.

I hope that helps.

dcd39083-9b83-4eb5-a790-64ab03dbe0b0-image.png

@Georgios-Christopoulos looks nice! I cant wait to see the rest of the journey!

@Georgios-Christopoulos I think it works as an image ok if the client liked it, but the printed quality depends on the quality and resolution of the photo you took and the resolution and lack of artifacts of the final product after you cropped, edited and saved it. To check this, you should verify in the editing program the dimension in pixels and what phisical size a 300 dpi print would be, also look at it on screen at 100% to notice artifacts. Or, of course, you can just make a print at a size you think right and see how it comes out 🙂

@AbbeyK thank you so much!

Hi Chris

I think it looks really nice though there are three elements that are about the same size and all are craving for attention making the eyes jump all over the place and not knowing where to focus on.

I'm guessing the blue mushroom on the front is your focal point so the character next to it could be a bit smaller (since it's about the same size) and/or less bright so it doesn't compete with the mushroom's light (something like the smaller blue character on the far right would work better on him). Or you could make the yellow character be the main focus so removing some of the brightness on the blue mushroom would make him stand out much more.
I would also try making the mushroom house much smaller so it looks farther away and also making it less bright as well, also could be positioned a bit more to the right so it kind of balances the scene a bit more.
The water looks really nice but I would also add some darker shading the farther it is from the main mushroom.

One trick you can use is to add a new layer in multiply mode on top and paint with a 15% dark blue on most parts as to add some ambience and reducing the lighting on most of the objects (minus the main focus one).

Hope something of this is helpfull to you 😛 .

@Michael-Angelo-Go I actually love the original horizon line in terms of storytelling.

To me, having the horizon line higher on the page and having the character facing the horizon makes it seem like the character is leaving behind a lot, taking a risk, or heading into the unknown (at least that's how I read it).

day31.jpg

@Georgios-Christopoulos I agree that I like the composition of the second one better. As for readability, I think the line breaks do affect how people read it but it this case it just seems like the "pauses" make it more dramatic. So I don't feel like it takes away from the meaning. It just forces the reader to kind of feel that "slow-mo" feeling in the middle of the action scene which I think is the point

Days 15 through 31 will be uploaded here!!!
https://forum.svslearn.com/topic/10272/inktober-day-15-31-critiques-are-welcome

@VeronicaMui thank you for the comments!

I can definitely see how the right knee appears to face inwards; I think I originally thought it was a cool idea when I was drawing it, but now I have to agree, it looks more painful than cool!

One of my family members took a look at this work when I first finished it and pointed out the same issue with the forearm. I wanted it to be foreshortened, but It doesn't really give off that vibe with the way the body is positioned and all. It most certainly seems shrunk when I look at it now! (Maybe some extra line weight/bolding around the forearm would have helped to give off that effect?)

I intended the red laser blast to come from a person off screen at a higher level than the in-frame character (hence why this clone trooper character is pointing his blaster upwards); I wanted the laser to look like it was making an impact with the ground, but I can see how it actually looks as if the ground is shooting the laser! I do agree that the red laser should be raised at least some amount upwards from its current position.

Thanks again for your feedback and insight on my work! I appreciate it!

Hi guys!

I m currently working on a step to step timelapse video for my followers on IG ,
regarding the stages I go through when making a digital illustration.

I upload a step every day ,and I answer questions regarding that step.
Figured I d share this here if anyone is interested to see another approach to art , and also to get feedback and critiques.

Here is the first four steps I made , rough concept-sketch-inks-colour blocked.
If you have any questions, feel free to share!

Cheers!
G-Chris

lq.jpg

@Jeremy-Ross just checked it out! It s wonderful! Thanks for the feedback my friend!!

Hello everyone!

G.Chris here.I hope everyone is in good health.
Coronavirus is awful, but let s tell the truth.
Artists know what it means to stay quarantined...

Anyways , I found myself thinking a lot of new concepts for artworks now that I am confined.
Here is one, feel free to critique and say what you like or don't like about this piece!

Be safe and stay healthy!

Giorgos Christopoulos / G.Chris.Artwork

QUARANTINE6.1lq.jpg

@NessIllustration @MichaelaH @chrisaakins Hey Gang, thank you all for taking the time to give feedback on this piece, I really appreciate it! I'll play around with some of these ideas and see where it takes the illustration 🙂