Critique?

[Marlo]

I would like some feedback on this study.
I valuepicked it, and was focusing mainly on brushwork and blocking

I would like to know what I should work on more. Thank you.

I was having trouble with the water dots on her body, how do you shade it? it was hard to tell for me in this picture .>.;.

[Kino_PuA]

Great start so far.

I will have to actually provide feedback about the whole piece at a later time and date but I will help you figure out how to paint those water droplets on her body.

Firstly, you have to understand what is actually happening with the water droplets.

Examining a similiar effect: http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs21/f/20...by_Foxbane.jpg

We can see that water makes the tone lighter than it really is.

http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs31/i/20...eruleanvii.jpg
Here the same effect is used, lightening up the tone, and using white as a reflective outline of the droplets.

I hope this helped at least a little bit.

[Marlo]

So what you are sayying is, the skin tone is lighter under the waterdroplets because of it's reflective properties or am I missing the point?

[Kino_PuA]

Exactly my point!
Now I suggest before you draw the droplets on this particular picture. Try to replicate one of these images and TRULY observe the water droplet effect as you paint them, do not just see it and merely copy it. Understand WHY it has that effect.

[JavierP]

Hi Marlo,
Your photostudy is looking really good so far. Try not to rush into details too early. Make sure those forms are well established before you really start rendering. Personally I would not worry about things like the water droplets at a stage like this. In fact, after looking at some of your other photostudies in your sketchbook, I would advise you to try and use an even bigger brush for your block-in stage. Try to use the big brush for as long as possible while you paint as well. This will force you to pay more attention to the bigger shapes and planes in the light and shadow. You've also got to try to accentuate the form in the photo to make things 'read' well. This is because photos tend to flatten the space out, and you've got to compensate.
I would also recommend you avoid color-picking. I would lay out a set of swatches from white to black with ten values in between and pick from those (trying to match what you see). You could even make little dabs on your ref to test your accuracy. I realize you weren't focuisng on that, but it is also a good skill to practice as mush as possible. It will help you see how your values are distributed through your image.
I included an image to show you what I mean. It also shows some ideas about setting up your composition to work as an image in general. Creating clear silhouettes and overlaps help to solidify your forms and separate the space into foreground, mid, and background. Controlling this separation and the softness/hardness of your edges helps to avoid overly 'soft' and blurry renderings. Hope this helps, and keep up the good work.

[Marlo]

Thank you so much, that critique so so delicious.

[Venger]

Take a few minutes and read this, it will help you:

http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_t...n_and_simplify

Bigger brushes! and don't get distracted by the details till you've got the forms right.

EDIT: D'oh! I realised I've just repeated JavierP's comments - ah well, That'll teach me to read through the thread properly!

[Marlo]

I'm super happy that it looks more pleasing to the eye now. I LOVE YOU BLOCKING! This was hurting me so much in EVERY image i would make, I've realized i went too much into detail starting at the sketch which is a huuuuge no-no.
im going to work on her neck now though D:.

[GoldSeven]

I'll say one thing that won't help you at all, but you're hands down the first person I've ever seen who managed to paint a suppressed half-smile. I love the expression in the photo, and it's absolutely wonderful that you managed to pull that across to your portrait. She has so much charm and personality.

[wunts]

i say you didnt get it 100% liveley, you were better off drawing it without the photo.

[Marlo]

Thank you.

@wunts: the whole point of this picture was to use a reference... it's a study.

Here's the semi-complete version. I am going to do some water studies now since im still off in a tanget with it. Thank you everyone for your critiques and if theres something more to say please do!

[FourTonMantis]

looking awesome, make sure you get those lines solid! for example, the part under the breast is kind of a muddle...make sure you get that punched out. I think you learned a valuable lesson with this piece though, feel free to rejoice for breakthroughs.

[justa]

I just wanted to say what an absolute pleasure it is to see someone actually listen; and then follow advice to the best of their ability. Gold stars all around !!

D'Arcy

[Bai Fan]

In the future, make sure you add NSFW in the thread title if you are going to be posting nudity. I changed it for this one.