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Looking for feedback.

IMForemanIMForeman Registered User new member
edited April 2009 in Artist's Corner
Hi,

I've actually been a member for a while, but I haven't posted in a good long while. Anyway, since the last time I posted, I've been working hard on improving my art, and I've gotten to a point where I'm actually reasonably proud of my stuff. The problem is that I rarely get any feedback on my stuff. I post them on Deviantart, and they almost never get seen, and when seen almost never commented on... and DA isn't helping by gradually moving all sorts of features to paid subscriptions. The other boards I post in are either ignoring my art wholesale, with people viewing the pics and moving on without comment. I fear that my art is being met with "meh" and will never be more so.

So, I'm going to make a plea here and ask for some folks to give me some feedback. I'm not looking for praise, but genuine commentary on the work.

I'll start with some recent fanart, posting links because they are too large.

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/loganep-1.jpg
Wolverine.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/qlquas.jpg
Quasar, in his current Quantum-Light forum.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/sid2-1.jpg
Seadevil taking aim at the Tenth Doctor.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/sky-copy.jpg
Scene from the Doctor Who episode "Midnight."
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/collinsmansionfull.jpg
My 4 year old nephew Collin loves Luigi's Mansion and all things Mario. So, I drew him in the scene.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/rory-the-explorer.jpg
My 2 year old niece, Rory with Dora.

Here's some original characters from a long form comic I'm working on called Enigmanaut.

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/newenig5nh.jpg
Jason Calder, the Enigmanaut. His uniform includes a helmet, but I drew him without it this time.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/reannoy.jpg
Rose-Ellen Cannen, a supporting cast member.

This is a coworker of mine remade as an alien.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/the-delpc.jpg
The Peld.

And this is the really important bit. I'm working on a webcomic. This is called Time-Gone Vaughn, and it's about a time-traveler from the 22nd Century and his genetically engineered monkey friend, SpoonMonkey. I really would love some feedback on the character designs.

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/tgv1c.jpg
Paul Vaughn and SpoonMonkey.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/spoonmonkey1c.jpg
SpoonMonkey on his own.
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t341/Enigmanaut/pvsketches.jpg
Some sketches of Paul.

*EDIT*Whoops, I had the wrong link on the Wolverine image. Another guy's work I was looking at. Fixed link now.*EDIT*

"I came here with a simple dream - a dream of killing all the humans, and this is how it must end? Who's the real 7 billion ton robot monster here? Not I, not I."--Giant Bender
IMForeman on

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    t i mt i m Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Well wolverine was definetly your strongest image. Your cartoon-ing ability is actually quite good, but your backgrounds are KILLING each piece. The sketchy multicolor bg completely clashes with the characters.

    Also, I hate to agree with what has been said, but "meh does come to mind a little. For example, your webcomic characters, are too bland. In fact I'm allready forgetting what the guy looked like. He's from the 22nd Century? Apparently blue suits are all the rage in 200 years? All kidding aside, push your ideas further! The spoon monkey is genetically engineered? If you say so. Truly I'm not trying to be mean, I just want you to think about these things.

    Same story with Enigmanaut, He has a suit with blue lights glowing on it, so clearly he's technically advanced, yet he wears a S&M mask to disguise his identity. With a name like enigmanaut, and seeing as he's a techy guy, what about a blank mask that that has photo-flage sensors that can replicate any face that is sees? Storing them up in a databank, to be implimented as necessary.

    As for the art, if you're happy with your current style, well kudos. I would focus on the coloring aspect and stay uniform in terms of your technique both fg & bg. Also as a tip if you don't want your bg to compete with the fg/character, use less saturated colors, it will also help with depth. Best of luck, and keep at it!

    t i m on
    God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.” Bill Watterson
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    MustangMustang Arbiter of Unpopular Opinions Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Tim covered pretty well much everything I was going to say, so yeah, what Tim said.

    Mustang on
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    ManonvonSuperockManonvonSuperock Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    post your images here, if you're worried about the size, drop them in spoiler tags. clicking links is somewhat frustrating.

    ManonvonSuperock on
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    MykonosMykonos Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    I swear to god you deserve a leadpipe to the kneecaps for making me do this do this for you.
    sid2-1.jpg

    collinsmansionfull.jpg
    qlquas.jpg

    rory-the-explorer.jpg

    newenig5nh.jpg

    reannoy.jpg

    the-delpc.jpg

    spoonmonkey1c.jpg

    Mykonos on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    "I was born; six gun in my hand; behind the gun; I make my final stand"~Bad Company
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    SonicSonic Absentee Landlord Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Hmm.

    I think "potential" is the word I'm looking for here... I see a lot of potential in these, but like so many artists nowadays you seem to be getting a little ahead of yourself. That is to say too many people spend more time trying to develop style than they do on fundamentals like anatomy, form and rendering. I think one of the most important lessons you can learn at this point is that unique style develops from basics, not the other way around. I mean we all know what happens when you try to do it backwards. Its important to realize that simply breaking rules isn't enough, you have to break them effectively and to do that you must know those rules and know them well.

    You're inking ability and cartooning skills are already quite good, but you need to let your basics catch up. Spend some time with this book and give this a read. Heed some of the advice you're bound to get here and you'll stride past the "meh" stage in no time, I guarantee it. I look forward to seeing where some extra study and practice will take you.

    Sonic on
    I do things.
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    MykonosMykonos Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    god sonic, u didn't have to photoshop Captain America to oblivion to prove a point

    hold up....wait a minute....

    Fuck man that thing is legit!!!!!

    Mykonos on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    "I was born; six gun in my hand; behind the gun; I make my final stand"~Bad Company
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    winter_combat_knightwinter_combat_knight Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Loomis studies are the best. They are FUNKING hard to learn, but definately worth it in the end. Especially when doing something like designing characters.
    In last 4-5 months, ive filled up 3 sketchbooks (front/back) of loomis studies and another three of other anatomy/environment studies. I still struggle with my drawings, but its unbelievable how much ive improved
    I like your lines, and your colours are pretty cool. Just need to push those ideas further!!! Do a bunch of thumbnail doodles, and pick the best ones, mix n' match, and develop more from those. Keep at it mate!

    winter_combat_knight on
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    IMForemanIMForeman Registered User new member
    edited April 2009
    Thanks all. This is exactly what I was looking for. Much to think about here, and thank you especially for the link to the Loomis book.

    IMForeman on
    "I came here with a simple dream - a dream of killing all the humans, and this is how it must end? Who's the real 7 billion ton robot monster here? Not I, not I."--Giant Bender
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    beavotronbeavotron Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    Mykonos wrote: »
    god sonic, u didn't have to photoshop Captain America to oblivion to prove a point

    hold up....wait a minute....

    Fuck man that thing is legit!!!!!

    you mean to tell me in all your time at the ac you've never seen work by liefeld?
    4557.jpg

    he is the chris hartt of comics

    beavotron on
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    ManonvonSuperockManonvonSuperock Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    who is this Chris Hartt, and what is he the Rob Liefeld of?

    ManonvonSuperock on
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    MykonosMykonos Registered User regular
    edited April 2009
    beavotron wrote: »
    Mykonos wrote: »
    god sonic, u didn't have to photoshop Captain America to oblivion to prove a point

    hold up....wait a minute....

    Fuck man that thing is legit!!!!!

    you mean to tell me in all your time at the ac you've never seen work by liefeld?
    4557.jpg

    he is the chris hartt of comics

    lol yeah beavo I have, I was just trying to make a semi retarded joke on how atrociously outragous that is. Its amazing the the guy's works were so prevailent

    Mykonos on
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    "I was born; six gun in my hand; behind the gun; I make my final stand"~Bad Company
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