Mind critiquing?

[Alpha-neos 46]

Ok, so I just finished a picture recently and I'm trying to improve my skills some more.

So if its not too much trouble, does anyone mind critiquing it?

Thank you!

 

-a~N

 

 

[SFyr 1,982]

Two days later... Jeez, why is this forum so dead?

 

 

 

Right, so spirit of improvement, right?

Right. 

 

I definitely feel like you're going for the anime approach, and probably draw ponies much less than you do humans. 

And, very likely will continue that, but who doesn't want to draw ponies now and then? 

Anyways, it comes across in your style, putting aside the clothes and hair it also shows in the face and eyes. In particular, the muzzle, mouth, and nose looking to be positioned roughly where the human nose/mouth would be. This is one of those things that doesn't look fully right to me (not bad, just off), BUT falls easily under preference and style, and can't really be faulted if you choose to roll with it. Like with the eyes, they look anime-esque, intense, and the lines are bolder than is often seen on ponies, but the only thing I can really half-complain about is that they come off as almost male regardless of style.

I digitally removed the longer parts of the hair and bows, and suddenly it struck me as at least 80% dude.

Summative: be aware that ponies are different anatomically, and of what you're keeping for sake of style/preference and for not practicing another way. And, eyes are often very indicative of gender/personality impressions.

 

 

As a general thing, you may also want to look into a more 3d form behind both clothes and hair. I don't exactly have specific guides of how to do that, but maybe studying other works a bit to see how they achieve a 'depth' and related definition to things like that. As it stands, the coat and hair look... flat, and the shading looks similar to a flat coloration over it. While the pose and general placement is great, there are plenty of little bits and pieces that throw it off and prevent it from gaining depth.

Sadly shading is one of the overall contributers to that though. It's interesting, for the colors present, but in the longer bits, the hair looks more like outlined blobs in the shape of hair rather than strands.

On the face, it looks better, but it still seems like it's being treated like flat sheets. Obviously with anime/mlp hair isn't going to be hugely detailed often, or big on individual strands, but a slight amount of implied texture (through highlights or shadows even) or shading hinting at the thickness and airy locks that hair often takes on goes a decent way.

Summative: The hair/clothes look flat; shading and understanding what you're working with should help. Implied textures and implied materials are also your friend.

 

 

Side notes.

The ears seem a little crooked. The left one in the image seems to be pointing forward from the face, while the left side one seems to be pointed back; this is an expression, but if memory serves, there's a slight bend downwards given how ears fall/move when at this level of turning--as it stands it just looks a bit misplaced.

I think clothing folds, furry ears, and digitally colored hair in any of the main art bits would be good places to start studying for improvement in your drawings. If the anime style isn't something you want to keep for the pony, I would also look into pony eyes and facial structure, as it still looks human-proportioned to me.

 

I can give sample images or try to explain more if needed.

I'm sorry if any of this offends or discourages, I only am trying to properly critique for improvements that could be made if similar things come up in the future. 

Edited August 13, 2014 by SFyr

[Alpha-neos 46]

Two days later... Jeez, why is this forum so dead?

 

 

 

Right, so spirit of improvement, right?

Right. 

 

I definitely feel like you're going for the anime approach, and probably draw ponies much less than you do humans. 

And, very likely will continue that, but who doesn't want to draw ponies now and then? 

Anyways, it comes across in your style, putting aside the clothes and hair it also shows in the face and eyes. In particular, the muzzle, mouth, and nose looking to be positioned roughly where the human nose/mouth would be. This is one of those things that doesn't look fully right to me (not bad, just off), BUT falls easily under preference and style, and can't really be faulted if you choose to roll with it. Like with the eyes, they look anime-esque, intense, and the lines are bolder than is often seen on ponies, but the only thing I can really half-complain about is that they come off as almost male regardless of style.

I digitally removed the longer parts of the hair and bows, and suddenly it struck me as at least 80% dude.

Summative: be aware that ponies are different anatomically, and of what you're keeping for sake of style/preference and for not practicing another way. And, eyes are often very indicative of gender/personality impressions.

 

 

As a general thing, you may also want to look into a more 3d form behind both clothes and hair. I don't exactly have specific guides of how to do that, but maybe studying other works a bit to see how they achieve a 'depth' and related definition to things like that. As it stands, the coat and hair look... flat, and the shading looks similar to a flat coloration over it. While the pose and general placement is great, there are plenty of little bits and pieces that throw it off and prevent it from gaining depth.

Sadly shading is one of the overall contributers to that though. It's interesting, for the colors present, but in the longer bits, the hair looks more like outlined blobs in the shape of hair than strands.

On the face, it looks better, but it still seems like it's being treated like flat sheets. Obviously with anime/mlp hair isn't going to be hugely detailed often, or big on individual strands, but a slight amount of implied texture (through highlights or shadows even) or shading hinting at the thickness and airy locks that hair often taken on goes a decent way.

Summative: The hair/clothes look flat; shading and understanding what you're working with should help. Implied textures and materials are also your friend.

 

 

Side notes.

The ears seem a little crooked. The left one in the image seems to be pointing forward from the face, while the left side one seems to be pointed back; this is an expression, but if memory serves, there's a slight bend downwards given how ears fall/move when at this level of turning--as it stands it just looks a bit misplaced.

I think clothing folds, furry ears, and digitally colored hair in any of the main art bits would be good places to start studying for improvement in your drawings. If the anime style isn't something you want to keep for the pony, I would also look into pony eyes and facial structure, as it still looks human-proportioned to me.

 

I can give sample images or try to explain more if needed.

I'm sorry if any of this offends or discourages, I only am trying to properly critique for improvements that could be made if similar things come up in the future. 

 

Discourage? Offend?

My friend, you have helped me a lot.

I'll read over this again so I can look up some stuff.

But, thank you for critiquing and helping me to improve.

I'll make sure I work on these.

You have my thanks!!

[SFyr 1,982]

Discourage? Offend?

My friend, you have helped me a lot.

I'll read over this again so I can look up some stuff.

But, thank you for critiquing and helping me to improve.

I'll make sure I work on these.

You have my thanks!!

Glad to hear man. Sorry my critique may be a little unclear or structured weird in a number of places.  Still learning how to go about this kind of thing well, haha.

Anyways, I wish you the best with practicing more.  I can vouch for studying examples helping out a good bit, even if improvement can still be slow/gradual. So long as you have the interest and motivation though, you'll do great. 

Edited August 13, 2014 by SFyr