Hello

I've attached two pictures of the drawing I'm currently working on. I would greatly appreciate any advice/constructive criticism that you can offer me on how to improve it, what I could do better, what I need to pay attention to, or what not.

Thanks!
Ryan

From what I can see at this point, you seem to be going in the right direction. Its a bit difficult to comment on a piece unless you post a reference for comparison, say what paper you are using and the size and what type of pencils you are using. I don't see a distinct light direction and that would make a difference to your final levels of values.

My comments at this stage would be to revisit the eye. In your drawing it looks quite lifeless and dull. I know its early stages and you may just not have gotten it to completion yet, but I would imagine, depending on the reference, the eye would have a catchlight and some differentiation in the pupil and iris in terms of value. The beak looks good and the subtle shading works well. Again, depending on the light source, you may have to intensify the shading on it.

Also the little darkened lines that I presume are areas of shadow in the feathers - be careful that they blend into the feather itself without hard lines.

So build up the drawing a bit more then post again, you'll have a great piece soon.

Thanks Islander!

I went back and included a highlight in the eye. I had planned to do so, but hadn't gotten to it yet. I don't see any pupil or anything in the reference, it just looks solid black to me. :shrugs: I'll try and post the reference I'm using soon so a comparison can be seen. I'll tell everyone right now my drawing doesn't really do the reference much justice.

I'm using Bristol board Vellum 9"-12", Turquoise pencils 4h-2b.

I worked on it some more today. Completing the way across the bridge of the beak, I guess you would call it, to the other eye. Also half of the top of the head. I'll post another picture when I can steal my wife's camera again.

I'll also make sure to try and blend the darker lines into the feathers some as you suggested. Thanks for the advice!

Owl update. Criticisms appreciated!

The original drawing I am using as a source is by Chris Wright and is titled "A Moment's Rest". It can be found here: http://www.cwright.co.uk/gallery/artwork/?id=1&aid=56

I have received permission from Chris to hazard a try at drawing from his original and also to direct people to his website from this forum. He also graciously offered to criticize my finished drawing for me.

Please don't let that stop anyone here from giving me any suggestions or opinions. As you can see I need all the help I can get.

Be brutal. I don't harbor any delusions about my drawing ability/inability.

The thing I notice is your whites are looking a bit gray.
You'll have to be real careful to preserve your whites in order to match his work.
Chris has brilliant whites and deep dark blacks.
Over all I think you are doing real well!

I think this coming along nicely. I know you want opinions, mine is continue as you are. The true key here is how much you will/are learning in doing this piece. It is not a thing of copying, as it is learning through dissecting the original work and understanding it. It is obvious you are. I think good critque can come into play later in the piece. For now... just keep rolling!! Looks great!!

as First = not all users have a fast Internet access , therefore, the image should be posted smaller, so many users

who have some interest in your picture but do not want to have long load times, can see your picture


furthermore, I agree fully with the utterance of dragonshade

although I still have to ask why you have not taken a photo of a real owl as a motive ?

well, copying other pictures helps a bit - but that empathizing with a living or photographed image brings to

my mind a lot more for the artist = it creates a kind of connection and identification between subject and artist ,

at least it's me so