Wintersday Workshop 2011!

Thank you to Sasultra for a Dragon Gauntlet crafting materials set donation

@Starfleck

HEHE I like it look how excited she is to be getting a gift OH BOY! cant wait to see finish product.

@Thistle, NP

@Starflek: I agree with the chorus; the expression on gwen's face is priceless. ^^ Though I wonder how much cc you want?

*feels a bit mean about pointing out things to improve on without permission to do so*

If either one of you entrees want some hard on CC, I am ready to give you some hard dedicated ones, but I don't feel comfortable just critting everyone like I'm some kind of diva :<

Hehe, thx Sas ^_^
Lol sorry Draken, didn't even really think about it. I'm just picturing now being at the height where I couldn't reach the top of a doorframe off my feet, but it doesn't really compare, since I'm 6' and in construction, drywall mainly but also painting. I can imagine that alone would be frustrating

@Gemini: I'm going to be looking for more constructive criticism as I get further along, for now I mainly want to know if it's a funny concept, gwen is recognizable enough, and approx. how much of the space should be filled with each of the following: gwenface, present, giver, background. At the moment I'm roughing it on my full size sketch about 30:25:20:40 -ish, respectively. 30% of the pic being taken up by just that face too imbalanced?

Im with you Gemini - since art is so subjective, I tend to not like being a critic, since MY impression and opinion might be very different than the one the artist is trying to convey!

I myself like to just sit back and see how things turn out - I could always offer opinions, but, I just kind of like seeing how things develop! Particularly when something is new, or just in the beginning stages - since alot can change!

I DO love how people here are very kind however, and a big thanks to everyone whos had comments on Mr Yak! LOL This is certainly a friendly place, even with the critiquing - it manages to stay fun, friendly and welcoming when that COULD on many forums NOT be fun. Great job to those who mod, and to the members who contribute for being all around nice folks. =)

Well what I can tell you, having gone through 12 years of arts-focused schools and a semester of drawing & painting at a university, is that it's always acceptable to give criticism on technical aspects, and to tell your side of the story from a viewer's perspective.

Technical skill level is actually relevant to an artist. I know for a fact that I can paint pretty realistically, however if My Goal doesn't suit that type of painting, then I won't do it that way. Being able to use an appropriate level of detail and realism across the piece is something an artist has either learned from school or practice, or they're skill level isn't there yet (visionary of course, but not technically able to pull off their vision). You can tell me I'm not a digital artist, and it's true, and I wouldn't be the least bit offended. My medium is different because I work better with my hands.

So, as far as I can tell, here are two things the artist does, in fact, want to know from you:
1. After having given a fair view to the piece are you aware of the message, if there is a message, or the general purpose of it? (this encompasses focus and purpose, the ability of the piece to hold your eye/attention long enough to convey it, and the message's relevance to other people. The artist's take is clear to the artist, but they need to hear from you what you saw)
2. Do things seem to be on the same level of completion, is the whole work balanced, and is it visually interesting (composition)? Basically, the technical stuff.

In other news, @Tee Wrex: I think the yak is super cute ^_^. Details are spot on for being such a tiny sculpture, which is very appropriate, and does yakkington good justice for how complex the in-game model is. I think at this point you could call it complete, honestly, but if you wanted to you could detail the santa hat a bit and, theoretically (although uncalled for) keep working on depth of color in the fur/bags/barrels to bring in more grain and complex colors.
Also, @Thanatos: I have to agree that the things in stockings aren't rendered right. They are out of the depth of field so they really need to be blurred like the stone fireplace. Aside from that, it's also a bit unclear whether the gaki is actually holding the boxers or they're floating, but it's awesome for colors, composition, humor, proportions, density, and consistency of detail.
and @Gemini: Very nice concept. I'm dying to see how it develops because you've already got a good looking composition and a killer starting point.