[antx]

Okay, I have two problems with this one (don�t look at the dragon, its still far from finnished). The first would be that the rock with the dragon looks very flat (at least so separated from the background). Something is wrong on the right side, but what and how to solve it?

Second problem is the background. Should I put a valley there so that I get a horizon and that way some depth? Also I wonder if I did not put too much colors in it cos it appears so Disney like.

If someone could give me some hints on those problems or also in general, I would be very grateful. Thanx...

[spooge demon]

I tried with the first one to keep your composition, but then I thought maybe a little wider lens might help if depth is what you are having trouble with. I never drew a dragon before, so I don't quite know what is going on with them.

Backlit rocks- they have a lit side and a shaded side, don't mix them up. make the shape of the lit side and shaded side make sense, keep the values separated, you should do fine.

[KOryH]

Yeah, what he said.
Also don't forget about atmospheric perspective. It will add depth to your painting. Spooge does this well. Look at his over paint and notice how the values and shapes get softer in the distance.
And don't be afraid to let detail fall of in the shadows. You want people to look at the beautiful dragon not the over rendered rocks right?
Well that's it from me.
Looking good. Keep up the great work.

Spooge: inspirational as always.

[antx]

Thanx to you both. That will help me already a lot. It seems I�m way to careful with shadows.

[Eric Pommer]

Yeah, this is something I'm having difficulty learning as well. But I've noticed that some of the best artists here frequently leave large sections of their pictures only *suggested*. Only the real focus of the picture is rendered in detail.

It looks fantastic when I look at other people's work...when it comes to my own I never seem to be able to decide on what needs to be rendered and what doesn't, and I wind up rendering too much, for fear the picture will look lazy or unfinished if I don't. I wish there was an easy way to learn this....