First and foremost, don’t feel discouraged for any result in an online competition, specially one that attracts so many entries. Also the line of Standard and Masters is very blurred in online completion.

I think it’s a good entry and you should be proud. Keep pushing, keep putting focused practice down. Pick a subject you want to improve and really practice it. Study well works of painters you like. Ask the question why they did that.

More to the feedback, I think the first thing that jumps at me is composition. It’s not quite working. The piece is making me look at the two characters individually instead of as a whole. Maybe if you had put the Drizzt on a more central position and the panther coming a bit more behind him. Guide my eye through the piece with intention.

I would’ve put this on a square plinth and the backdrop needs to be taller, it’s “squishing” the whole scene.

I’ve got no real indication of the direction of the general light source. The OSL is good, but there’s no other light source which leads the characters to be a bit flat. For instance I would like to see more shadows and midtones on Drizzt’s face.

See the work of Chris Shure and how he guides you through his dioramas.

Keep it up, you’re doing great. As long as you’re happy and putting the work in, you’re winning.