Hello all!

My name is Bonnie, My online alias is NizhoniWolf and I am predominantly a fantasy anthro artist. Sadly about 5 years ago my health took a nose dive and i haven't been able to return to work since. Over the last couple of years i have started to gain confidence in my art and have decided to live out my childhood dream of becoming a freelance illustrator, as this will help fit around my health etc.

Now, although my confidence is growing, i am aware that i need to work on my skills. One day when money is better i hope to utilize SVS learn's classes, but for not i will just be using the fourms ^_^ I'm hoping to learn loads, make friends and have fun!

Greetings all,

Last time i was on the forum was about 9-10 months ago, Sadly things got hard at home and (as always) my creative endeavors got side tracked.
My Toddler is now in Nursery for a few hours a week and I'm finding new treatments to help with my health. SO project Portfolio is back on! I'm hoping to actually sign up to SVS properly this year and also take part in some of the monthly prompts, and community!

In the mean time, here is a family of Badgers enjoying a day out on a steam train! (Thoughts and concructive critque always welcomed)

So, i picked up a piece i started back in April, i'd stopped for many reasons, but 'depression' was a major factor. I recently decided to finish it, under @Jake-Parker 's "Finished not perfect" concept. I've recently finished it, and although there are bits to it i like/am proud of, on the grand scale i am just not happy with it.

But i've come to realise that i need to understand colour a LOT more (And as soon as i've saved up enough money to enroll in a Years Subcription to SVS it will be one of the first classes i take).

Although i am not happy with it, i am glad i finished it. It's no longer going to hang over me and I also have met my own limitations, and have planned how to get better to overcome those Limitations! Having finished that piece i can move forward and i feel better for it!

Has anyone else had a simlar expriance?

Personally, I would have planned out the illustration to have more space available for the words. @Jon-Anderson mentioned moving the pirate over so he over laps the island a bit (to create more depth perception) but i also feel this would free up some natural space for those words

To be fair, i think many people are in the same boat, and reach a point where they begin to feel absolute frustration. I know i do, I'm in a similar situation and know i couldn't ever afford to go to art school. But then i have decided that I'd rather do schooling like this one day than art school.
A lot of art school seems to be experimenting with different media and styles, not actually learning skills such as colour theory, composition, value etc etc. I'm not saying this is bad, I just know in my heart its not what i want. And i think at the end of the day that's whats Key here. Do you want to learn new skills and try out many new ways of expressing yourself (ie print making, sculpture animation etc etc)? or would you like to cherry pick the skills you need (ie colour theory etc) to strengthen a style you want to inhance?

I hope that makes sense? Basically, Art schools aren't the be all of becomeing a working artist. Depending on what your goals are you can achieve it through classes such as the ones you are taking on sites like this ^_^ It's not where you studied that counts, its your actual skill (In the job you are being employed for) and how you promote/market yourself!

I'm super proud of the lighting on this illustration as it was a real step out of my comport zone! But alas....The scanner TRASHED it and sadly i don't have a reliable art program to adjust the levels (nor a up to date enough laptop to get one).
I will how ever be getting it professionally scanned soon, so hopfully i can share that one at some point ^_^ That being said, i would appreciate peoples thoughts, any constrictive critique will always be welcomed!

Many thanks guys ^_^

@Leontine Whats not to love about Hedgehogs right!?

@smceccarelli Ah yes, sorry perhaps i should have written down what i used. I Use Prisma colour pencils and white spirit to help blend the layers ^_^

@nyrryl-cadiz said in WIP- Critiques Wanted please:

@demotlj Thanks for the critique! The princess is actually the rider. She's the more fearless one in this situation. I imagine her as some sort of damsel in distress who got tired of waiting and defeated the dragon who was guarding her tower. Now as her knight has arrived, we can see that she no longer needs his help.

I LOVE that idea! (and i love her face lol) If it was me, i'd draw the knight a little more ...defeated? (is that the right word?) with a " aww maaann" slump to his shoulders (and his sword arm relaxed).

I think its something all artists feel when being around other artists isn't it? Which is quite humbling, you have a lovely watercolour style i can't wait to see more! ^_^

That was an absolute pleasure to behold! I to love seeing children's drawings, its so innocent and pure

I agree with @nyrrylcadiz , i wish i had something more constructive to say :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_cold_sweat:

I think the need to be on social media is drilled into us "if we want to be successfull" But the truth is we need to learn our craft to be Successful. Yes there is a need for social media, but i don't think it should distract from the learning.

Your guilt tells be that you feel you 'owe it' to others to make videos (etc) But the truth is, you don't owe anyone.SWAT.
And spending time in meditation/self reflection/therapy might help you discover why you subconously feel this way.
Personally if i were you i'd make a very clear (video) announcment explaining that you are taking a year break. That you'll maybe do insta stories of the 'artistis play' that you do? And that when you are ready to come back to making videos you'll be more experaniced and ready to make new, quality content!

You first.

Good luck ^_^

I can understand completely as i am struggling with colour and perspective also! (what book have you ordered?)

I'm doing the prompt (to practice), but not to submit. Maybe you could do the same or similar?

If you are getting tired of it, why not take a small break from it? I think the colours that you have used are wonderfully simple and the bat just flies of the page ( ) i think it would be a shame to ditch the watercolours because you are getting a bit stir-crazy over it

So, i picked up a piece i started back in April, i'd stopped for many reasons, but 'depression' was a major factor. I recently decided to finish it, under @Jake-Parker 's "Finished not perfect" concept. I've recently finished it, and although there are bits to it i like/am proud of, on the grand scale i am just not happy with it.

But i've come to realise that i need to understand colour a LOT more (And as soon as i've saved up enough money to enroll in a Years Subcription to SVS it will be one of the first classes i take).

Although i am not happy with it, i am glad i finished it. It's no longer going to hang over me and I also have met my own limitations, and have planned how to get better to overcome those Limitations! Having finished that piece i can move forward and i feel better for it!

Has anyone else had a simlar expriance?

I real love the changes you made, this is delightful! I especially like the dragons expression and the leafy seadragon(s) wrapped around the dragons tail ^_^

Such a cool, Interesting and thoughtful idea!

I love how you are experimenting with different styles too.

I also think there should be a feather on the ground next to/held by the person/dog ^_^

Also, i don't know if its just me, but the Mountains look too smooth to be mountains(?)

The Orange/blue wip is beautiful and very eye catching! And when i see the silhouette i think of a Phoenix!

The other wip is (again very beautiful) calm and serene, i think i prefer this one.

The hand to me is both a bit distracting, but also says "what the hell are you doing" (coming from a mother of a 3yr old....)
I will say, on this version he doesn't seem flush with the glass??

@aleksey Thanks for explaining your process for me ^_^