Critique for an Absolute Beginner

[L4xord]

Hi all artists!

I'm an absolute beginner at digital painting, I've done some traditional art before, and am reading some Loomis books. The painting below was done fully in Corel Painter. It's my first real digital art painting that I'm proud of.

I would like an HONEST critique of my painting, keeping in mind that I'm still a beginner.

Thanks,
Liam

[Star Eater]

Carry on studying using traditional media such
as pencil and paper. Your time will be much better
spent doing that than trying to get to grips with
digital programs.

Do studies of actual landscapes and rivers. You cannot
paint if your drawing abilities are still lacking.
Honestly, this picture has nothing going for it, but that
can all be changed if you knuckle down and draw
from life. You can play with programs, but you will
see no improvement until you have grasped the basics
of what makes a successful image.

[L4xord]

Carry on studying using traditional media such
as pencil and paper. Your time will be much better
spent doing that than trying to get to grips with
digital programs.

Do studies of actual landscapes and rivers. You cannot
paint if your drawing abilities are still lacking.
Honestly, this picture has nothing going for it, but that
can all be changed if you knuckle down and draw
from life. You can play with programs, but you will
see no improvement until you have grasped the basics
of what makes a successful image.

Thanks for the straight up criticism. I'll really try to keep on going with my pencils, once I'm good enough at sketching I'll start up my sketchbook.
For now, keep and going with traditional!

[L4xord]

Carry on studying using traditional media such
as pencil and paper. Your time will be much better
spent doing that than trying to get to grips with
digital programs.

Do studies of actual landscapes and rivers. You cannot
paint if your drawing abilities are still lacking.
Honestly, this picture has nothing going for it, but that
can all be changed if you knuckle down and draw
from life. You can play with programs, but you will
see no improvement until you have grasped the basics
of what makes a successful image.

Thanks for the honest advice. I'll keep and going with my pencils.
So for now, traditional all the way! Might start a sketchbook once I've practiced enough!

[L4xord]

WOAH! Now that I look at it (coming from a photographic background) there is no foreground!! I can see why I need to practice more!

[Daniel Wood]

Find a couple references to work from. Also you could so some life drawings of streams or rivers, and study how it flows and how light reflect off of it, as well as how reflections from solid objects such as trees work on a watery surface. Kind of makes me want to do some sketching by the river. Too bad its raining super hard outside.

[JeffX99]

Pick up "Drawing Scenery: Landsdcapes and Seascapes" by Jack Hamm. Go through it one page at a time every night with a stack of printer paper, drawing your own versions of the concepts he discusses....up to about page 71 at least.

[L4xord]

Find a couple references to work from. Also you could so some life drawings of streams or rivers, and study how it flows and how light reflect off of it, as well as how reflections from solid objects such as trees work on a watery surface. Kind of makes me want to do some sketching by the river. Too bad its raining super hard outside.

Pick up "Drawing Scenery: Landsdcapes and Seascapes" by Jack Hamm. Go through it one page at a time every night with a stack of printer paper, drawing your own versions of the concepts he discusses....up to about page 71 at least.

Thanks Daniel, there are few streams that run by my house, I'll try a life drawing their and see how I go.

I'll be sure be sure to get Drawing Scenery: Landsdcapes and Seascapes, looks like a great book.