@Andy-Meeker Hi Andy, welcome!

Reads well, I would go with it.

See notes:

@Bobby-Aquitania Hey Bobby!

Thanks for taking the time to rework this and give feedback - really appreciate it! Happy Holidays!

I'll post updates as I have them.

Best,
Kenda

Sounds like you have a lot of ideas. I suggest you do a redline or draw-over, or some simple thumbnails to help clarify which might be a stronger composition.

@Pixby said:

@Kendra-Minadeo I'm torn on this. On the one hand, I very much like how taking out the dad and obscuring him makes the illustration much simpler, and with greater focus. Something feels "right" about the way you have re-imagined the positioning of the characters. Yet, I like seeing that dad bounding around the corner with his hands full, too. I really can't decide which I like more. Maybe dad is following close behind mom, and bleeding off the page? I like the suggestion about angling the vertical lines of the house too. But, I almost want to see them angle in the other direction, as though the house is falling back, rather than forward.

All of the classes have a ton of value. I'm a subscriber and I'm working thru the composition class right now, which I should have started with, and man... Just a ton of stuff that would take an entire year at school to learn can be ingested and applied in 12hrs. Also loved the Mixed Media class, just finished that last week. So good.

I also like to jump around between classes depending on what I feel like working on, so I have a few classes going at a time at various stages of finish. Which is nice to have the flexibility. Also $12 a month is pretty affordable as far as subscriptions go.

Can't recommend SVS enough.

Best,

Kendra

@Pixby said:

Considering signing-up for the monthly subscription on SVS or purchasing isolated courses. To anyone who has taken them, which helped you improve the most?

No Problem, @Dulcie! I'm a visual learner, which I think most of us here are - so draw-overs and redlines really make a difference.
Also - I love this scene - it's crazy cute! Can't wait to see the next update!

@Dulcie said:

@Kendra-Minadeo Thanks very much for taking the time to do a draw-over, much appreciated! I’m going to have a good think about what you suggested. I will definitely do my best to use more contrast to emphasise the dragon, and I’m going to twiddle with where the edges of the composition lie too. I like the way you’ve added stronger shadows in the values. I’m going to try and incorporate that. Thank you!

Ya in the redlines I had the Dad getting stuff out of the car - just something so we didn't see his face but was still present.
Can't wait to see the progress! you got this!

@NoWayMe said:

@Kendra-Minadeo Oh wow, thanks a lot! This works a lot better (not annoying at all, I love having helpful critiques!)

I'm not sure I understand what the dad is doing though haha! But I'll figure something out so he doesn't steal the focus!

Thanks again!

Hi @Nowayme

Such an adorable start to this!

Here are some notes you might find helpful or annoying, probably both.

Your homie,

Kendra

Notes:

• Angled the house a bit so its lines didn't match up with the edges of the paper. Angles are considered more welcoming and inviting then straight up and down lines.
• Moved Mom and baby up so they would be the 1st thing we look at, dog comes second. Moved dad so we wouldn't see his face since he's not as important as the others and pulls focus. Sorry dad.

Redlines

Redlines with Rule of Thirds:

Thanks Lydia! always appreciate a draw over!

I really like the placement suggestions and the lighting idea. I'll give it a try!

@gimmehummus said:

Hi Kendra. Great job so far with the environment. My only thought was that the Turtles are really small. I made them larger and did a little rearranging. I also started trying to move the light source forward but ran out of time!

Thank you, Noémie! Tangents are the worst!
Also - I just checked out your website - wow... those nude studies are wonderful!

@NoWayMe said:

Hi Kendra!

I am absolutely no expert myself, but I can try to help!

Hi @Dulcie

This is a super cute scene!
Here are some suggestions that I hope you find helpful.

Stay awesome.

Kendra

Squintable Size with Redlines and Value:

Redlines with Notes:

Redlines with some added Value: