New Artist..Want some Critics

[blckwtrpark]

Hello..I am a new artist from India. I have started sketching in December 2012. I like character and creature drawings, and usually do lots of sketching from references and anything I have in my head. As I am new, I do not have proper knowledge of sketching. I am just learning. I made some sketches and one of my recent sketches is here..It is a concept of the Dead Pirate..!!

I want some critics about it so that I can make it better next time..Please help me out..I really wanna improvise my sketchings

[Velocity Kendall]

I like him! December 2012? youre doing great!

i suggest putting three copies on a sheet and drawing over the, doing different versions. to try out ideas. what does he look like with different boots? or a blunderbus in place of a sword. etc i find thats a really reliable way of making the most of my ideas..

[Ahnem Mee]

Maybe size it down a bit: there's no need for a sketch to be this big.
Also, I think you should definitely lose the clip art skulls you used for decoration; they're not making this piece better, and they're not professional or even tasteful.
The hair is looking nice, but I don't see he same quality of line and detail in the rest of the image.
I don't quie understand what the wing-likethings behind him are - at first I just thought they were part of his outfit blowing in the wind, but looking at the bottom hem of the coat I don't think that can be it. But they are not recognisable as wings, either.
The bodily proportions lastly need work also - his hands and face are very small.
Hope this helps. Stay motivated!

[Mike086]

What you have done here is a good start for your initial idea.

I think you have two routes: continue and finish, request critiques and learn from this image. Then after finishing and receiving the critique, request a paint over, then move on to your next piece.

Route two: Put this image to the side as your first sketch in the process of developing a pirate piece and make the next one.

Practice your anatomy, if you want to, I live stream 1 and 1/2 hour study sessions from the Andrew Loomis book "The Figure for all it's Worth" http://www.livestream.com/mciii

Practice proportions and get used to practicing them forever if you are pursuing a career in illustration.

[blckwtrpark]

I would really like to thanks to all of you..The critics you gave me are excellent. In fact, you have promoted to do even better..!! Thanks a ton. I'll keep all your suggestions in mind. Btw..wings were last minute idea. So, it was not fully done. I just made an apparent of them. However, I am sketching and trying to paint it again as you said @Mike086. And I'll also try not to use any clip arts (This was last minute idea just to give it more impression, but it was bad ) and keep the size relatively small. Lastly, the proportions and anatomy are really big mess for me. However, I am working on them, and Andrew Loomis is helping me..! Really thanks a lot..