[iByrn]

This is a watercolor I've been working on. It's almost finished, but it seems to be lacking something. I meant it to look grungy, since it's supposed to be set in a ruined city. I also wanted it to be sort of dark and oppressive.

Again, I think it lacks something. Can anyone throw out some ideas on how to make this look better?

cityruin

[ July 24, 2002: Message edited by: iByrn ]

[Mharett]

i like the perspective and the shadows you have going there... i think though that it could be a bit darker... the 'background' seems very close to the girl... uhm, sorry... not too good at commenting on these...

mhar

[Benji Schupp]

Hey there. First, I'll say, you are quite good at handeling those tough water colors! One needs patience for those.

OK, I don't know what those two are doing, which is kind of confusing. Is the girl in the background sunbathing? Well, if it's supposed to be a ruined city, show us it is a ruined city. I also had difficulty figuring out, that the strang form in the left probably is a bend street sign. Maybe it's bend a little too far. Hmmm, yeah, that's about it for now. You can do it!

[iByrn]

Thanks fellas.

mharett- In retrospect, the background should've either been more detailed or further away. As is, I have an undetailed background that, perspectivewise, looks close to us, which is bad. Thanks for pointing that out.

benji- Close, she's moonbathing. I had hoped to assert that it was night, maybe a darker background would make that clearer. And yep, that's a bent-to-hell sign next to her. Don't ask me why I put it there.

Any more suggestions? Please?

[ July 25, 2002: Message edited by: iByrn ]

[Mharett]

take what youve learned from this and start anew. noone says you cant try a concept multiple times . some guidelines could help with your persective too... just do em ultalight, the watercolor should cover em up.

mhar

[jesse-k]

okay, here's what i find good:

you've totally nailed the anime/manga/japanese style as far as basic figure and form goes. i wish i could actually do this type of stuff

But, you totally lack on basic perspective and atmospheric water color.

As far as perspective goes, you really need to study proportion and how it applies to a vanishing point(s).

As far as watercolor goes, you really need to stop thinking of the paint as a mere dye, to provide color and rudimentary shades and start thinking of it was the actual basis of the painting.

[iByrn]

thanks to everyone who replied. I'll take what I've learned and apply it next time I try something like this.

[Weirdowe]

del

[iByrn]

That background looks so much better!
Although it's not exactly the effect I was going for, it's a huge improvement.
I think what I shoud've done (maybe I still will in another painting) is make them actually sitting IN the city; it would have been more interesting.

This helps a lot, thanks.