I have yet to do any Mene art, but I have samples from art for other sites:

Gaia:
(Group Shot)


(Head Shot)


(Torso Shot)


Zantarni:


Varus:


And a sketch of a character of mine:



*Comments? Critiques?
*Am I art shop-worthy?
*If so, suggested pricing?

All help greatly appreciated!

Yes you are.

I'd say you are! Good stuff.
Looks like your a three quarter view junky like myself. ^^

*pops in as her male mule*

Yeah, I try to throw in some full-on views, but I started with 3/4 and they've always been my best. ^^;

My profiles tend to turn out a bit abstract, though, so I rarely do them. XD

Yeah, I can definitely relate. xD

Very nice! You could open an art shop but be warned they don't do too well here but you could get a few sales. Maybe try an auction first and see how well that does.

Yeah, you are. I don't think I am though since I have no buyers *keeps practicing* XD

They are awesome! Too bad that I don't have a great avi at the moment -_- I would so buy it from you! *-*

Most of the time when I see this type of thread they have bad poportions to the point I can't stand it. I feel you have a good start at it and could do well in the shop world.

good coloring. There is a lack of full detail, but the coloring adds to it better than detail might. As such, I like them a lot.

Well personally I think the coloring needs work. Maybe I am just not into that style of coloring. I think overall they are nice but still need work on anatomy and line quality.

Originally Posted by d2hiriyuu

good coloring. There is a lack of full detail, but the coloring adds to it better than detail might. As such, I like them a lot.

I'd have to disagree on that. ^^; Just slapping colors onto an image does not make up for it's lack of detail, and in Orly's case, I think her coloring could use some work. I'd definitely recommend checking out tutorials on shading and light sources, and avoid using the burn and dodge tool so much. ^^

But over all, I think you're doing great. :3 Your proportions in general aren't bad and I really like the way you draw faces. I think that last picture you posted, the sketch, is my favorite! <3 I do agree with DreamEmpress about anatomy and line quality though.

I think you could open up shop, but I'm bad with Mene prices (demand can be hard to gauge). ^^; I'd like to get a sketch from you myself if you ever have time though.

i didn't really mean slapping on color, but then again I'm one of those people who colors because it is necessary, and I do it to my art at times, but I am not that good, so I think it looks great. I like especiallythe bone wings and fabric, but that is just me.

I appreciate all the comments and critique! Let me explain a couple of things:

1. Anatomy: I tend to worry more about the overall shape of the body and the lines it creates than correctly proportionate length in, for instance, legs. I tend to elongate or enlarge my hands because I like the way it looks. That being said, I'd be curious to know what parts of the anatomy are being referred to as needing work, so that I can work on them. XD

2. Color/Line Quality: As the colored pieces are avatar art (many of the examples done on a rather short deadline), I cut a few corners and used the lightness up/down tool and didn't smooth the lines a whole bunch. When I have more time I tend to do cleaner work and some actual blocks of shadow and gradiation. ^^;

d2hiriyuu: Thank you! The wings I did on the Zantarni piece are some of my favorite things I've ever done--and I think one of the few cases where using the lightness up/down actually enhanced the look and feel of it. ^.^

Ferra: Most of what you said is addressed in the above explanations, and I'm always on the look out for good tutorials. When I spend more time on my work (as it is, these took between 3 and 6 hours to do, depending on size/complexity) I tend to do block shading and then lightness up/down for the highest highlights and lowest lowlights over it. And I'd love to do a sketch or two for you! <3

Everyone else: Thank you for your comments/critiques! Keep 'em coming!

I can understand that, but generally I'd rather wait weeks for a image to be colored well than have one rushed. ^^; But I'm a rather patient person. *still waiting on three or four commissions made over a year ago*

I think the Varus picture looks like it's colored the best because there is noticeably less burn and dodge. ^^ I think I generally see people add shadows/highlights by using layers of different shades of a similar color rather than just brightening or darkening the existing color. But it also does come down to style. I'd try experimenting with different methods like cell shading or painterly if you have the time to practice though, and see what you think looks best. :3

I'm not certain about anatomy, since by no means am I an artist myself, but I think it's more basic things like positions/poses that bug me since they look unnatural (referring mostly to the first one). I also think the lengths and widths of a few body parts are a bit off in places and the ears seem a bit too small on some, but over all you are doing a lot better than I. :3

Definitely check out anatomy books or guides though, since no matter what style you use or what you draw, there needs to be a realistic feel to the bodies, even if you decide to stylize the proportions. ^^

And yay! :D Let me know when you have the time to draw something. <3

Angel agrees with Ferra. The dodge and burn tool is not your friend. Not until you know how to do it subtly. It makes your colour look rushed and slightly odd.

Some of your proportions are off too. But that's easily fixed with time and effort.

I think I like your sketch the best. The coloured works just look too rushed. But I know others would rather have colour even if it is rushed.

Should you open a shop? Maybe. There'd probably be interest. But I still see you having a long way to go before I'd buy from you. Sorry, I know that sounds harsh but I'm a perfectionist when I commission.

So by all means go ahead.

Suggest a pricing? I only do that in my thread, mainly so whilst I'm typing I can see the image. I have a very short attention span and have already forgotten what they look like. Sorry.
Maybe around 150ish? I liked one so they can't be too bad... I don't know. I'm so lost with prices outside my little thread.

I would pay for your arts O.O

maybe 500? does that seem too much?

Yes. Totally.

Right after you draw me for free because I"m just so awesome. *shot* xD

XD

I've been playing with ways to color that are quick and not lightness up/down heavy--I think I've got a fairly good method. Later this week (after I finish my two term papers. >.<) I'll probably put up an art shop in the correct forum with some open slots (and a couple freebies)!

Thanks for your comments and critiques, and more are fully welcome! I'm also still open to tutorials and such, since I'm still kind of playing with my new techniques. XD

<3