[Burhtun]

I'm trying to break out of my bad habit of just settling for solid color backgrounds when I design my creatures. I need to tackle environments and overall composition more. I'm also trying to achieve a more painterly and less overworked and finicky quality to my stuff. The critter kind of clashes with the environment because of this shift of thinking. What do you guys think? I guess I'll have to give in and paint over him with more decisive strokes. Lighting of the scene also doesn't seem to be working. This doesn't feel like it is outside let alone in a desert. Argh. Gotta study traditional paintings some more and see if I can glean some clues. Not sure why its not working right now.

Any thoughts and crits would be much appreciated.

[ceddo]

I think the reason why your creature isn't fitting in the scenery here is because of the lack of contrast in the background. You've got almost full range shading on the creature (which is good) but the whole of the background is bland and flat. You should begin by shadingthe rocks with more detail and add contrast there.

That creature looks friggin' cool.

[Sumaleth]

I like the creature a lot.
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Art Links Archive -- Artists and Tutorials

[Burhtun]

I think you're right, ceddo. I'm still not being bold enough with my values, so every scene I make looks overcast. Thanks for pointing that out. Working on it.

quick paint-over:

[Chad Weatherford]

Burhtun,

You may have motored on by now, but nontheless, the creature is really cool and I think the rendering is well handled. The only thing that bothers me about the background is the rock...it is too similar in shape to the scavengers 'shell' and creates a near tangency on the front side. That is to say the edge of the rock nearly blends into the edge of the 'shell'. This causes a little confusion and competes with your beautifully designed creature.

A quick paintover here is just one solution, but I think something like this would help draw the attention to where it belongs...

[Burhtun]

Thank you so much for the edit Chad. Not only does it draw more attention to the creature, but having the rock shape continue vertically off-frame makes the piece much more interesting. Gives it some wow factor. Thanks again!

[netflow]

Love the creativity in this creature.. I would just die to see you go into insane detail on it.. God the amazing things you could do with that shell alone would make it worth while