Edit: Did some composing, any advice on creating depth?

[Xeraelus]

Just recently got back some time to get back into digital painting.. But something feels wrong about this piece and I can't seem to exactly pinpoint what.. Any critique is welcome!
EDIT: I'm butchering it up.. Since I didn't do enough composing earlier..

So I'm working in some more elements, there's still stuff that's rather off about it, and I can't really tell what.

[wooblood]

Ok, for starters, is that supposed to be an actual human in there or no? If it's a real human, there are currently some heavy proportion issues as well as extra-digital issues.

[Xeraelus]

Not exactly human, no.. She's supposed to be super tall, and deformed a bit, but let's say I do make her completely human.. What should I change?

Part of my problem is probably because I don't compose enough before painting. >.< I don't seem to have this problem when I'm drawing from observation, but when I get into digital, I just paint without reference and enough sketching. >_>

[Xeraelus]

I did a bit of butchering to it, but I'm not sure about it. Lols.

[Ink-Orporate]

For the proportions, look at somebody in the same position, it should help a bit. Using reference is your best bet. For example, her right shoulder should be visible. For the composition, You could try a tighter or a looser angle. At the moment you have three parts of your picture (both feet and left arm) very close or inside the limit of the frame, this is not a very good practice. I would also had some blue somewhere to balance that orange.

[Xeraelus]

Mm Did another composition.. It almost makes sense to me, but something is still lacking. D:

[Artfix]

Now this is a wip and maybe I cant be sure what you see in your mind so of course i can only speak from what i see here. As it is, this has no composition. It is a isolated figure staring blankly into something which the viewer is unaware, doing something awkward with no explanation as to why. There is no narrative. Its a complete mystery.

Your instincts are right that you feel you rushed into painting. I did the same thing myself just recently. You need to go back to thumbnails and decide what this character is doing and what she is interacting with.

Dont feel like its been a waste of time because you learned an extremely valuable lesson, and all the practice painting is always good.

Hope my advice doesnt sound harsh, but I know that starting from a good foundation will make things soooo much easier for you.

[jbrown67]

the piece is really flat, the values are the same throughout the piece. It would be better to see some foreground-middleground-background work here. Also, focus on that anatomy, get the left leg and arm looking good. right now there are no clear hands.

[Xeraelus]

Mm. Back tonight after a bit more redesign. I'm probably going to change her expression, add something on to the bottom of that hole and detail the background, but something's off about her leg. I still don't have any real reference for this "person", which I guess I'm struggling to find.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm somewhat getting there.

[Elwell]

Part of my problem is probably because I don't compose enough before painting. >.< I don't seem to have this problem when I'm drawing from observation, but when I get into digital, I just paint without reference and enough sketching. >_>

You've diagnosed your own problem. There's not much anybody else can add.

[Xeraelus]

Sorry for a bump.. Well, I did some composing.. though I"m currently trying to create some sense of depth and get rid of this awkwardness that I see, but can't identify in the image.. Any advice? D:

[wooblood]

Well at least part of the awkwardness is due to the current split positioning of the legs which I'm pretty sure would be difficult even for trained gymnasts, but even if someone could do that, why would they be sitting like that?

[Xeraelus]

Good point. Well, I've been trying to do some sort of hidden assassin/android raid scene, and so far I'm coming up with this.. I think I'll relook her position..