Wow! I can see you're already getting better and more efficient. You are so going to get this!! I am on the verge of trying 100 kids.

Do you know about the free app Handy? I find it a little limiting because I don't think hands really look like the models in the app, but it can be a good starting point. And since it's free, why not?

Hi guys! I'm really trying to work on speeding up my process this year so I can produce more original work. My perennial roadblock is that I have a really hard time paring down options in any aspect of illustration--it's overwhelming!

Right now I'm trying to figure out an efficient method to develop a color scheme. I do have a decent handle on color theory, how it works in composition (to focus attention, move things forward, etc.) and I have some of my own preferences. And by using David Hohn's technique of applying color mode layers on top of a value study, I'm getting a handle on keeping the values consistent and accepting the fact that they have to come first. That was hard to do!

I have watched all the SVS videos on color at least once, and if someone thinks there's something particularly helpful there in terms of developing a scheme, could you please point it out so I can rewatch those sections? I also like @smceccarelli's color scheme videos on YouTube. And I am aware of the fact that I can go search movie stills or other illustrations and grab a color scheme to try.

But something is missing. I'm currently staring at a page of 9 color schemes which I have applied to a value study, many of which are similar and none of which seems satisfying. And I have no idea why.

If you have some pointers or other resources that you have found particularly helpful in choosing a color scheme and applying it to a composition, would you mind sharing it here? Maybe we can all learn from each other in this area!

Thank you!!

I love the composition, the curves of the fish and girl's hair, their gaze, the subsequent appeal to imagination via reading, and it certainly get the idea of big across! I agree with Chip about the pants. And somehow I want the fish to be darker as well. Or maybe I want the girl's shirt and the background to be lighter? I'd just push all the contrasts a little more and use your value range to its fullest. And watch out for the tangent on the left where the edge of the image almost touches the fish's fin and tail.

Look forward to seeing your progress!

@nyrrylcadiz I can only think it's just that thing where kids want to put everything in their mouths!

Hi! I like the composition of the second one, but agree the size concept could be pushed more. A lot of size is relative, so comparison should do it!

@nyrrylcadiz Oh, I didn't say that well. I meant the purple in the whole bottom right color scheme, though it's true that most of it is at the bottom right. What comes to mind when I think of bright colors becoming creepy is how clouds get when there's about to be a tornado or other very severe storm. That's not a very technical description, but you probably get the idea. You think, "Oh, something's just not right about that color!" That said, now I'm running of the mouth and I'm sure whatever you do with it will be fine! Look forward to seeing the next step!

I like these! I like the bottom right one for slight creepiness, and the top left one for sheer harmony of color. I think for it to be horror movie, you might have to take down the saturation of the purple a bit on the bottom right. I'm not sure, though.

Another thing I'd keep an eye on is Thumbelina. Putting the focus on a small figure is such a challenge! Just make sure she doesn't start to look like another hydrangea at first glance.

I like the off-kilter angle, the colors, and the overall composition. The figure of Thumbelina in the line drawing is fun and has good perspective. And I like the rhythm and line work in the yarn. Nice!

Ok, what's going on here is that I saw a little boy start licking a shop window while his mom was distracted. He was looking at something inside, which at the time was probably a display or Christmas decorations but I changed it to food for the upcoming carnival season. The next moment, she realized what he was doing and rather over-reacted out of fear or disgust. I saw the scene while walking down the street with a friend, and the moment we got out of earshot we both burst out laughing because the whole thing was so typically curious and oblivious kid and worried mom. But to me, the most interesting part is the kid's visceral interest in the window and what's behind it. The fact that kids get foiled at carrying out such things is secondary.

@NizhoniWolf Ok, out goes the hand! I decided for myself that it's too menacing. Perhaps just showing and adult turned in the other direction is enough to give the idea of distraction. And thanks, I will work on the flush-with-glass part.

@ThisKateCreates As you can tell from what I wrote above, you are partially correct, but I did decide that the hand is giving an interpretation to the story that is a bit too frightening and I'm going for innocent curiosity.

@aleksey I am just now seeing this, but I really like the version with the darkened room! I like the overall environment. And I rather like the concept of the two staggering gnomes with their arms around each other. I like the others too, though.

My main advice at this point would be to make sure you keep eye going towards the gnomes. Although I like the torch light, maybe if it were obviously a light source for the gnomes, or else threw them into sharp silhouette, it would put more focus on them.

P.S. Oh wait, the inked version didn't load the first time. Now I see it. It does look good! You can do the focus part with color and value.

Ok, so here's a slightly more refined value study. I changed some of the values, but they're still in flux and could change again.

Now my main question is, what kind of impression does that hand coming from above give? Does it help the story? Can you tell what the story is supposed to be?

Thank you for your feedback!