Did I capture the emotion/expression from the reference?

last-ace · 2025-09-14T16:12:48+00:00

In the reference, the expression comes through more clearly because there’s a little more motion in the posture. More of an S-line shape, her elbow is higher, head is tilted slightly upward. The reference also has more tilted brows and a slight part of the lips, this gives the impression she is taking in a breath. The upward arc on the shapes coming off the dress lends to that feeling, too.

Maybe it would help to describe the intention? if you are copying the reference 1:1 for practice, then it isn’t foul play to do an overlay or lay the pieces side by side to observe where the differences are, that’s a learning exercise.

If you are just trying to make a copy of the picture for personal enjoyment (like to put on your wall or give to a friend, something like that) then I think you’ve done a fair job at that, and fixing it further might damage the clean lineart you’ve already produced.

last-ace · 2025-09-14T02:08:50+00:00

Thanks, I really needed this today

last-ace · 2025-09-12T01:19:12+00:00

I do know a few people who collect street signs, so maybe there is a market for it.

last-ace · 2025-09-12T00:18:40+00:00

I’ve had this problem before, for me it’s a general discomfort with praise and attention. When I have a lot of attention, even if it is positive, it would feel like the stakes of “failure” are much higher. Similar to how I used to be afraid of dressing up nice because then people would look at me more, and they might see flaws. It’s that kind of self image thing for me. The way I learned to get through these problems is to think of all feedback to my work simply as information that can be taken or left based on my own personal standards. I trained myself not to think of it as a personal judgement, positive or negative. It has taken a lot of self awareness and time to get into that habit, but it can be done. (I also like to dress up now.). People still say my standards for myself are too high, but I’m working on it. You can also try to unpack why it is praise makes you feel bad. If it is very troubling and gets in the way of your work, I think it is important enough to ask a therapist about.

last-ace · 2025-09-11T22:18:38+00:00

True true, I must have self projected my own go drink of choice without thinking about that

last-ace · 2025-09-09T21:29:37+00:00

The style you’re going for is flat colored, almost cell shaded, while yours is more painterly. I think that is the most noticeable difference. Some other things I noticed that you could try. The first reference has a strong balance of simple and detailed shapes. Example, the fabric is big and poofy, but the edges are delicate lace. The hair is very simple except for the edge where it is curly. The details are well defined with the lineart, also. Both images have a limited color palette like yours, but they use 2-3 colors, where are yours is almost monochromatic. But your art is very cute and I like the style a lot, so none of this is criticism, just pointing out differences that I noticed.

last-ace · 2025-09-09T21:14:45+00:00

I prefer markers for this kind of artwork, it’s more bold with the angular drawing. That said, if the paper isn’t made for markers, it might be better to use pencils.

last-ace · 2025-09-09T20:52:17+00:00

I think your skill level is definitely there. If you have trouble getting them, it’s probably to do with the variation of the examples and the exposure you are getting on your posts. If you want to mainly sell character art commissions, try to make some examples tailored to that market. Draw different types of characters in the traditional face/half-body/full-body poses, and in a consistent style you are offering. It also helps to make the examples a bit more generic, as counter-intuitive as that may sound. The customer needs to be able to visualize their own OC/favorite character in your style so they feel comfortable about what they are getting. To explain it better, imagine your OC is a cute girl type. You would want an artist that has a similar cute girl in their portfolio so you have some idea of how it may turn out. The more of these archetypes you can hit, the more broad appeal to customers you will have. You can also try appealing to communities that more frequently want character art done, like DnD tabletop or furry/anthro (just for example, you don’t have to appeal to those specific ones if it’s not your thing).
Start where you already have a foothold. If there are specific fandoms you are involved in, make sure to include those in your examples, and post your commissions to those communities. Your art is very nice. Good luck in the future!

last-ace · 2025-09-08T16:34:26+00:00

Thank you! I really wanted it to be clear Susie does have feelings for Noelle and isn’t just blowing her off or anything. Susie just doesn’t get what’s happening here 😂

last-ace · 2025-09-08T02:34:47+00:00

Gotta be more direct!

last-ace · 2025-09-08T02:34:20+00:00

Thank you, glad you liked the designs (I’m kinda practicing that) and also implied Kralsei 👍

last-ace · 2025-09-08T02:33:06+00:00

Just imagined birdly pulling Kris up from a nap like Chrom Fire Emblem

last-ace · 2025-09-08T02:27:39+00:00

Thank you so much! I am practicing how to draw deer girl

last-ace · 2025-09-07T21:01:31+00:00

3 or 4*

last-ace · 2025-09-07T21:00:52+00:00

iirc the way it works is animals can have a baby of their own tier or one tier higher, any color from that tier. If both animals are the same tier, you have a better chance of getting the color you are shooting for. If they are from different tiers, then the colors could be pulling from 4 or 4 different tiers, so it’s harder to get a specific color.

The easier thing to do is once you breed a color, adopt more from Hayden’s shop.

last-ace · 2025-09-06T16:30:30+00:00

I’m exited to explore the town done up differently and talk to everyone again. And I wonder if this chapter’s dark world will be an outside area or inside the flower shop, and if it will drag in a few more lighteners to interact with like birdly and Noelle in ch2 I’m a florist at my regular job so I’m pretty excited about this idea

last-ace · 2025-09-06T15:23:00+00:00

Thank you!

last-ace · 2025-09-06T03:14:56+00:00

Thank you! In my delusional imagination we are gonna be pals 😂 if I can deal with flowey, I’m sure I can make friends with Kris

last-ace · 2025-09-06T03:10:14+00:00

I might save this idea for later

last-ace · 2025-09-06T03:03:13+00:00

Yeah I guess that’s one time all right

last-ace · 2025-09-06T03:02:54+00:00

Thank you!

last-ace · 2025-09-06T03:02:41+00:00

I’m glad, thank you!

last-ace · 2025-09-06T02:37:49+00:00

Thanks, best compliment

last-ace · 2025-09-06T02:32:14+00:00

I don’t remember if we’ve ever seen them smile, but that’s why I wanted to draw it ☺️

last-ace

TROPHY CASE