help with color/value arrangement?

[Dcritelli]

The creature concept is based on this. http://conceptart.org/forums/showthr...ansparent-WIPS

I'm trying to paint an illustration based off the creature. There's something really wrong about it to me, though. Other than it's obvious unfinished state, i think the value arrangement is not working like it should. It's not popping like I would like. I just don't know how to fix it.

I only recently added the light coming down onto the creature. I had the background darker, but I changed it because the background was really flat and using the creature as a light wasn't working. Any ideas or input is appreciated.

[DPFX]

If it were me I'd start a grayscale version on another layer and work out the values that way. Pick a light source. Right now the light source is a bit confusing to me, lighting an isolated patch of ground behind the creature while simultaneously and inexplicably lighting the creature. Even with the lighting, everything is very flat. We are losing the figure on the left almost completely. Nothing is casting a shadow. The lighting on the creature is coming from multiple directions (look at the head vs. the left arm, for instance).

Speaking of the human, does he have to be placed awkwardly against the edge of the frame?

And aren't we missing a leg?

Hope that helps.

[Line]

DPFX is right, go for a small grey scale study first. Maybe start with a sketch outlining the
elements of the piece, and then make 3-4 variants with different light set-ups. Select the
one you like most and develop it more, solve the problems there. And after than, make the
color final.

The composition leaves much to be desired. Try moving some elements around, have them
overlap each other to enhance the feeling of depth. Think of something more interesting to
do with the guy. Interesting creature tho, like something out of a Ninja Turtles comic!

Just for fun I painted over it a little. No solution of course but just a suggestion, in case you
don't want to start working on it from the beginning.

[Izi]

The problem was you had a an equal balance of light, dark and midtones. dreadfully boring. Exciting value maps consist of a primary value (light or dark or grey) with no more than a third of a secondary value (light or dark or grey) and very little of the third and last type.

Whenever you want something to pop, use that particular value range sparingly in a sea of its contrast (dark or light)

Line fixed it by making it primarily dark with a pop of light, which takes up no more than a third of the total surface area.

[Dcritelli]

Thanks, guys. Your suggestions are all good. I will try and work it out.

I did try thumbnails, but I didn't try lighting, they were all just quick scribbles. Clearly I should spend more time in that area before trying to move forward. I always feel like I can see how I want it, but it usually leads to inconsistency. Sometimes I get lucky and it turns out well, and sometimes it looks like this...

[Line]

The thing is to have a good plan beforehand. Your vision in your mind may be murky (mine are at least),
so a plan of action, step by step is the best way to solidify it. Plus, such plans help you explore other
possibilities in design, tonal arrangement, lighting set up and color setup, before going in to do studies,
solving problems and coming back with the finished product.

Don't worry tho, we all make the mistake of rushing in. It's part of the learning process, you have to
fall down a couple of times, but it's more important to get up a third time and make sure you don't trip
on the same stone again.