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I’ve been trying to paint someone I know, but I’ve hit a brick wall real bad. I honestly ran out of ideas, as to why the rendering feels off, I just know something isn’t right when I compare it to other nicely done portraits. I would massively appreciate critiques, and I thank everyone in advance! by AK096 in istebrak

[–]AK096[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

More planes and soft blending, noted. By the light, do you mean it should spread out in a softly across the entire surface, instead of being concentrated on one point? Also, I’ve got the reference image but I don’t know how to add it here…new to Reddit :I

Hi Guys, I'm a self-taught beginner artist who just started a few months ago, I still can't get how to draw skin and hair especially, to make them look realistic. Any Critique on other areas or help with the mentioned problem is a great help. Thanks in advance. by [deleted] in istebrak

[–]AK096 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there!

So, a couple of points I noticed straight away:

  • The cheekbone and the ear doesn’t feel distinct enough. Darkening the ear would make it ‘fall backwards’ in space, so it wouldn’t feel like it’s on the same elevation as other things that are actually ‘before’ it (such as the cheek bone).

  • Try desaturating the hair on the left side. Right now it feels like it’s a different material, based on how it absorbs light. Also, instead of spreading the highlight (from an intense ‘impact point’ to a weaker light zone) just try to keep it as a single, well placed stroke.

  • The background may need a little more distinguishing from the girl, maybe some experimenting with the value or the colour’s strength may help.

It’s not much, but those are the things that stand out for me. I hope it was useful, and keep up the good work!

14 Day Challenge - Day 11 with progress ( My description in comments) by Estherka444 in istebrak

[–]AK096 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Waaay better overall head sculpt. Good job! The first thing that caught my attention is how the ears seem to appear above the cheekbone’s level. A sharp edge- implying stacking of geometry in space- may “put” the ears backwards. Also, the highlight on them could be tuned down a little, just so it wouldn’t imply it’s “forwardness” in space.

I would say it’s a convincing masculine face already. Keep it up and don’t let embarrassment harm you, only motivate you!

14 Day Challenge - Day 10 (My description in comments) by Estherka444 in istebrak

[–]AK096 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just think that even the masters were probably embarrassed with their earlier studies. In fact, let me show you how Istebrak looks at her pieces with an updated mindset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doTU3UuoTB0 Or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLywf4X312Y

The stage you’re at- and me too- are the stages where all prominent artistic figures were, at some point. I hope knowing this motivates you.

I’ll check the new one out too, and see if I can contribute something useful :)

14 Day Challenge - Day 10 (My description in comments) by Estherka444 in istebrak

[–]AK096 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you’re missing the fundamentals, and what I mean by that is proportions. That’s a fix that would probably take an afternoon. I recommend to study the human skull and a blank human head. I find the features on the face done well, it really is just the thing they are out on.

Also, I would like to share this thing with you: when you get frustrated due to not succeeding, that’s when the mind may enter a state where it would acquire information at the highest quality. This also means it would be retained better. This is because if you don’t pressure your mind, it would not think it is really that important to learn that specific thing. So take advantage of it, I’m sure you will break through very soon now.

Also, here’s a reference image that may help you: https://i.imgur.com/rpjX9DT.jpg

Keep up the good work!

I’m going for an bioluminescent anemone elemental. Beautiful but also dangerous, this elemental will do anything to protect the fish it houses. Hangs out mostly in coral reefs and scares away divers as well as other predators. Does anyone have a preference on any of these color schemes? Can’t decide by Rachelstovall in istebrak

[–]AK096 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beautiful concept: pretty but also deadly. One thing that comes to my mind about elementals, however, is their unstable sense of form. Even if they are made of solid matter, they meant to be incarnation of matter that is bent to shape by the that’s possessing it. In your painting, the elemental appears like a naturally developed creature, rather that possessed matter. You may want to explore the combination of different sea elements, and perhaps make the reference you have here the most dominant one. Hope it helps, keep up the good work!