i like what you're going for.. as an exercise, would you try a few with a totally hard brush, and no smudging at all? it'll probably seem harder, but I think it'll push you to new areas
Your drawings lack shape and come off as very flat. Think in 3D when drawing. For instance, the wax that holds shut the letter casts no shadows on the letter itself, giving the whole painting a flat appearance. Push up the contrasts more. Work with darker brushes, don't be afraid of them.
I agree with oobersli. A good way to get fast, and good results out of drawing, (especially fast results) is to look at how cartoon and comic characters are constructed. Lightly sketch the whole figure in basic forms of their mass, even start with a sort of stickman to get the pose and lengths of things right, then add on…
thanks man! i dont have more yet. i have the second of 5 pieces done, but i submitted that before i had a chance to take pics, and its less complex than the above. ill post all 5 up as they get completed. i'm glad u liked it good confidence boost =D lighting practice that i wanted to do yesterday, but couldnt wanted to be…
quick paintover highlighting areas needing improvement-- sorry, couldn't resist but in all seriousness, some tips that might help; 1. your brushes could use a little less fuzzy. turn up the hardness a bit--because sometimes, no matter how many strokes you put in, those soft brushes will kill detail. i'll get into making…