@Whitney-Simms I second the kneaded eraser! Life changer. I'm also looking to get the Copic Gasenfude. I'm glad to hear it plays will with watercolours

My little-known tool that I didn't realise I needed until I bought some is large bull clips. I think I use these to hold anything and everything when I'm drawing or painting.

From my first glance:

My impression

• It seems like a parent standing off against their child.
• A western setting in the bathroom?

Regarding composition:

• Girl has shadow, parents legs don't - just something I noticed.
• I'm not 100% what that grey box behind the doll is, and its texture I find distracting.
• I would say the value composition can be improved. I'm not 100% sure how, but it lacks a sense of 'flow' (sorry I can't articulate better.)

All in all well done, particularly for a first time. Great to hear you learned a lot. What were some of your big learnings?

Think of anatomy as a tool you use in your drawing process. Focus on composition, gesture and values, then bring structure and anatomy in later to 'tidy' things up.

The main way anatomy has helped me is to understand what those lumps, bumps and shadows actually are. This can help if I want to change something slightly than what I see, but still keep it believable.

When it comes to cartoonish styles, the main benefit is the understanding of overlap. Eg, I know that the pectoral muscle goes over the top of the biceps, but inserts under the shoulder muscles. Now, this can be simplified with a slight line at the armpit to show this, but it can be kept small if the person isn't muscular. It can also greatly help if there is foreshortening. Knowing what muscles will show in front of the other, will help when you have that hand reaching out to the picture plane, or that leg as the person runs into the distance.

It can also help when using perspective. I know that from looking from below and upwards, the chest comes out a certain degree and will overlap the neck (maybe even hide it altogether) and you will only see certain features of the face.

So keep it loose, but when you aren't sure how something would look, refer back to your knowledge, and use it to make those slight adjustments.

Hope that helps.

Welcome @peteolczyk Great to have you here. Feel free to post up some of your illustrations so far. We'd love to see them!

Welcome @Mr-Rob! I found these forums via the Podcast too. I've just checked out your artstation. Great stuff! I look forward to seeing you around the forums

Thanks @Whitney-Simms. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

I've been getting into watercolours this last week. It is a tough medium but I'm starting to get the hang of it.

Congrats everybody. Some amazing entries!

Finally done and submitted. "BIG sister"

This was a toughy. Am I 100% happy with it? Nope. But finished not perfect is the ways things go.

I learned alot. But I'm glad to move onto something new

Here is my entry. BIG sister.

I'm happy for my image to be posted on social media. My social handles are:

• Instagram: @nathan_creates
• Twitter: @natecreatesart

This was a toughy. New medium. Different style. Totally random subject matter. But learnt alot