Character profiles

[JasonLuper]

Here are some profile pics for an online game, these are possible characters under your control. My issue is whether or not the colored "fishman" is strong enough, or perhaps we should go with a more Black and White "sketchy" drawing like the Space Chimp.

I've been looking around for a bit and there is some absolutely amazing illustrators here, and although I think I am not far off with my general rendering skill I fall plenty short of executing the really compelling concept stuff I see here. I hoping something obvious may be lacking that I am simply ignoring, but I probably just have to draw more until I get it. My biggest issue seems to be a lack of depth caused by not enough contrast, I spent so long painting fine art without any rules that I am frustrated with my mediocre self. help!

(I also put up a Conquistador I did for an ad campaign that I think is "B" material, and would like to push it up to a more professional level)

[Amber Alexander]

first off those are very good drawings so dont get too down on yourself when you look around here and see all these professionals, they had to start out somewhere too, they weren't born drawing like they do so don't compare yourself to them.

Back to your drawings they do lack depth only because of the lack of shadows, I'll give the same advice everyone keeps drilling me with, use references. No you won't find a picture of a monkey in a space suit but think of something similar, do a search for a nasa suits or something and use that as a reference for shadows, patches ect to place on the monkey.

[Giacomo]

You will get more contrast if you put the figures on a colored ground. White on white is not very contrasty.

Exactly what kind of feedback are you looking for? You've put up three completely disparate images (it would be easier in the future if you put up one image at a time, or a few closely related ones) and stated that you're vaguely dissatisfied with them. More specifically, what are you not happy with?

[JasonLuper]

I wanted feedback with the lack of depth issue, I see the total lack of shadows now that you mention it. I can work with that. I have also been using a little 3ft skeleton to sketch with each day and that has helped with my structure quite a bit.

I also agree with the reference bit, all 3 drawings where used with references, but I see now that I left out some of the info I should have picked up there, ie' cast shadows, smaller detail.