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30 Day Monstergirl Challenge - Day 1

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Published:
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Description

Scarlet Macaw Harpy
Image size
3240x4320px 4.44 MB
Make
SONY
Model
DSC-W620
Shutter Speed
1/30 second
Aperture
F/3.2
Focal Length
5 mm
ISO Speed
640
Date Taken
Apr 10, 2015, 10:35:52 PM
Mature
Β© 2015 - 2024 Lady-Ra
Comments1
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RogueMudblood's avatar
So, I missed the critique event in the seniors chat hosted by JenFruzz (:() and as a result I'll probably repeat some of what was said there. I apologize in advance for that as it's certainly not my intent to harp on ground already thoroughly covered. Please also bear in mind that this is just my opinion and you're welcome to disregard any part of it you choose.

I love the subject! I'm a fan of myths and legends (always have been), so I definitely perked up seeing the harpy in the journal the Lady Fruzz posted. Of course, since you asked for critique, I'm going to be honest and open in my opinion here.

My first suggestion is to have a more centered picture of the drawing as it will make the viewer feel as though they're getting to see the whole image and not missing out on something. There are some tutorials on site about making a picture of a traditional image fit into a format for a digitally-oriented art site. You can find a couple here: Photographing your art (kamicokrolock) and Taking Art Photos with a Webcam (purpledragon42). There are some tips from both of those users on digitally enhancing colors as well. For your viewer's sake, I might recommend a bit more in the description regarding the piece - such as whether it's color pencils, markers, chalk, etc. It simply gives us a better idea of your medium beyond simply "traditional" and lets us see a bit more of your process.

One thing I absolutely love about this work is the colors you've chosen. You did a great job with the red and the blue for the feathers, in keeping with your subject. I also like that the brown of the legs is different from the brown in the hair. Something I would recommend being careful of in this regard though is pressure while coloring. Some parts appear to be a little darker than I would expect from simple shadows, others lighter.

It's interesting that you chose not to give her pupils. I say that because you paid great attention to other minute details - the ridges within the ear, the distended nipples and areola - so it seems odd she has no pupils.

Another thing that stands out as slightly odd is the length of her abdomen. Granted, we've got a "butt-shot" here, and I do think you did an excellent job with the angle her body is twisted at; but the line from under her ribs to her hip seems a tad elongated. I also notice that on the right arm you've actually drawn a crease at the elbow where it bends. That makes it seem slightly like it's a long glove that she's wearing, which I don't think was your intent.

For the breasts, I notice that they seem to have a slightly odd curvature to them. The outer curve on the right breast looks a bit flat, like it's following the line of the arm. With the arm down, I would expect that, but raised as high as it is, I would expect a little more "freedom" in the curvature.

I think you did a beautiful job with the placement of her clawed foot on the right leg - covers up those "bits" neatly to keep the piece on a tasteful level. I do like as well how you're not trying to simply "dress up" the image of the harpy and make her appealing. She's neither the ugliest nor the most gorgeous of creatures, and you've done a great job of showing a terrifying aspect to her. Overall, a lovely piece, and I thank you very much for sharing it!