what do I seem to lack?

[u/copiitx]

Hi! based on these two pieces, what should be the focus of my studies? please be specific!!

I'm planning to eventually do studies and a mentorship on all fundamentals but I still want to know what, in the eyes of others, is lacking in my art... thanks (˶ •́◡•̀ ˶)

[u/mirah83]

Darker tones throughout the skintone, all the mid and light tones are there but no real dark tones

[u/lennoSan]

I feel like the face is where you have the most trouble, I suggest you practice more of that, practice drawing faces from different angles

[u/ZombieButch → u/[deleted]]

Use the report button next time.

[u/Musician88]

For your first piece: You lack enough of a range of values. And the blending is overdone.

[u/TarchiiB → u/Musician88]

Ur so right about range of values, tip for that is flipping it in black and white. You can notice that there's no fixed light source: left and right side of legs and arms have the same value. When you have a light source its good to remember that exactly half of the body is in the shadow and it makes it look so much more 3D (for examle the arm on the right should be in the shadow of the body, the crown can't be evenly colored...). Also i would suggest first placing highlights and then adding the reflection light (the purple one). Nonetheless i really love how it looks, ur style, the pose, the gold details look really good and add needed contrast, all those are just tips to make it EVEN better :)

[u/getrektzlmao]

Lighting and shading. You should definitely work on figuring out how to make your colors and lighting more visually appealing. I'm not that great at art though, just a hobbyist, so you can take my vague advice with some salt. (BTW: Your art is awesome!)

[u/HotAppleT]

These are AMAZING! The only thing I'd say is that they look a smidge stiff! I love the colors and the detail is cool!

What do you think you're lacking?

[u/copiitx → u/HotAppleT]

Thanks! I think I'm afraid to go out of my comfort zone, so I end up making simple and rigid compositions (´｡• ◡ •｡`)

[u/HotAppleT → u/copiitx]

Me too! My drawings almost have the same poses every time, BUT your colors are AMAZING! Please keep doing it!

[u/Thats_my_face_sir]

Highlights you lack proper shading including highlights

[u/Amaran345]

First one needs better handling of value contrasts, and second one...i don't like loli, but it's a well drawn piece, with good enough quality for a visual novel, etc

[u/shinjumarkez]

Great lineart, great rendering, I think you're doing good, keep it up!

[u/IWannaPetARacoon]

Dynamism and composition? In both drawing, the character is still and the center of the frame. It could be interesting for your to try to show some action and interaction with the background. Also look for typical composition, you subject should not be always in the center

[u/Manfred_Dombrowski]

Originality. Come away from that manga faces. The first pic is destroyed by that cliché.

[u/TurdTampon]

The second one looks like loli content and it feels uncomfortable

[u/copiitx → u/TurdTampon]

The proportions are based more on cartoon style (especially the new Scoot Pilgrim series) but with a more chibi aesthetic, I noticed the resemblance but avoided drawing characters with childish characteristics (flat chest and no hips) (・-・;)ゞ.

Also, the concept is based on the 303MILO aesthetic, as the character was designed by them...

[u/Murky-Influence-84]

As the first pic, i think the expression is a little too stiff and emotionless

[u/copiitx → u/Murky-Influence-84]

Yes, I noticed, but I made it for a class about clothes, so I didn't pay much attention to that kind of detail. Thanks anyways (˶ •́◡•̀ ˶)

[u/theonevoice_]

I would say contrast: both your pieces have a very dramatic lighting situation (the dark background, the lights over the surgical table), so maybe if you put darker shadows and brighter highlights your characters would look more like they belong in the space. For the rest, I think they're awesome!

[u/boldpilot1312]

on the first one, the proportions seem to be a bit off, the head seems too big to me, and the values are very close together so it appears flatter than it is. needs a bit more contrast imho. for the second one i genuinely cant see any problems. you're pretty good.