Mermay WIP

Nyrryl Cadiz

Hi, everyone! I’m finally joining the monethly contest again. I was really occupied last month, cramming and all. I’ve been doing some sketches for this month’s Mermay contest. Here’s what I can up with. I think I’m going with B. Hehe I like that little mermaid in the ramen. Which one do you prefer?

Chip Valecek

@nyrrylcadiz doesn't look like the images finished uploading.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Chip-Valecek just got them properly uploaded

Johanna Kim

@nyrrylcadiz I love both ideas so much!! With the ramen version, this could be really strong since it's simpler, but what is the little girl looking at? Would it be cropped this way? Or did you mean to have her looking at something in the background? It would make more sense for her to be looking hungrily at her ramen, ready to dig in.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Johanna-Kim I wanted her to be scared/surprised looking at the mermaid not knowing what to make of her. Should she eat her or set her free?

Johanna Kim

@nyrrylcadiz Oh, I see. I like it! Then I think a considering gesture for the girl might help (e.g., left hand to chin, or to her temple) and her gaze should be directed towards the mermaid because right now, it's taking us out of the scene. Also, it should be clear to the viewer that the girl has actually noticed the hiding mermaid. Love the single shell solution for the mermaid's chest coverage.

ShannonBiondi

I love both but for me personally, A is way more exciting. I'm thinking about the guy in the background who looks kinda evil, where he got the mermaid, how, whether the little girl will set her frew? It has a strong sense of story but also leaves it open for the viewer's imagination to take over.

Nyrryl Cadiz

I’ve been doing some color comps. I only did two because so far, I’m really content with the results. Here they are:

Nyrryl Cadiz

I’ve been painting non-stop and here’s what I’ve come up with:

I lIke #1 but I can’t help but feel that it’s a bit flat. That’s why I can up with #2 to add more drama. In 2 the girl is trying to save the mer-lobster girl. She’s trying to do it discreetly without her mom noticing. I’ll update you guys soon.

Johanna Kim

@nyrrylcadiz Wow, you're sooo fast, and sooo good! That ramen looks delicious. I'm still stuck in the concept stage (sigh!). For me, #1 is more clearly communicating its message. The girl is surprised by the mermaid, who's sort of threatening to use her claws for self-defense. I don't think #1 is flat.

Re: #2, I interpret the girl to be shushing the person behind her, and her intent is unclear.

avfarrar

@nyrrylcadiz I like version #2 but mixed with the eyebrows on the girl with version #1. Maybe the rim of the bowl could be a little more curved... That little kid is going to eat a LOT of food! :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat:

avfarrar

@Johanna-Kim @nyrrylcadiz Yeah. It may be better if the girl is looking at the mer-lobster instead. Your picture is looking awesome! You always do a great job.

Elena Marengoni

@nyrrylcadiz Love the idea and the composition! You're using a viewpoint that really helps to communicate the story. I would either make it clearer that the girl is shushing the mermaid (maybe the mermaid looks like she's shouting, with her mouth wide open and maybe the girl is looking at her?) or perhaps help the viewer understand that there is someone in front of the girl to whom she's kinda telling: 'please, keep this a secret, don't tell anyone what I'm doing!'. Maybe we could see the shadow of this person? Anyway, I really love your piece! Really cool and well rendered!

Amber Lynn Benton

@nyrrylcadiz The composition is just beautiful - really wonderful use of white to lead the eye through the composition. And the storytelling potential is rich in this piece. However I too find the gaze/interaction between the girl and the mermaid a bit confusing. I don’t think you’ve found just the right solution yet but I believe you will.

Here are two ‘girls looking down in surprise’ that might be good reference:

Nyrryl Cadiz

Hi, everyone! Here’s an update on my Mremay piece. I added anpther figure to the illustration in the background. She’s supposed to be the girl’s mother. The girl is supposed to be trying to discreetly scoop up the little lobster mer-girl. I still have a few things to render and tweak but hopefully this will be finished soon.

Darian

@nyrrylcadiz looking good! Just wondering if the hand holding the spoon is looking alright . Have tried flipping the image just to confirm it is looking alright?

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Darian thanks for the input! Got any reference images? I’m really having a hard time.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Amber-Lynn-Benton hi! Thank you so much for the images but I think I’ll stick with the scared look for now.

Nyrryl Cadiz

@Johanna-Kim hehe thanks but I have to be honest here. I sort of cheated. I already had the pieces somewhat finished the day before I posted them. I’m not that fast.

mellebluesworld

@Darian said in Mermay WIP:

@nyrrylcadiz looking good! Just wondering if the hand holding the spoon is looking alright . Have tried flipping the image just to confirm it is looking alright?

@nyrrylcadiz you did a really great job! I love the idea and composition! But I guess I know what @Darian means. I feel like the hand is upside down. In this position the use of the spoon would be more like a shoveling- on the other hand- kids do that sometimes, so @nyrrylcadiz I guess you chose the position on purpose? I still feel like the bending of the thumb is immoderate. Maybe if you change this, the whole hand would have a different effect on the viewer :).
I myself struggle a lott with drawing hands and feet. If I am unsure about the right angle, position or direction, I look for references on Pinterest or try to take the position my characters are in and to feel how it should be done. If it doesn't work, I take selfies of my hands and fingure positions :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat: . I added some refference links for hand positions . I hope I could help you somehow
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/748019819337988947/
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/748019819331276971/
https://www.pinterest.de/pin/592997475914294065/