I was in a slump with commissions so I decided to take someone's advice and tried doing something different just for me

I ended up with this: click

inspired by the song cuckoo spitting blood by Anathallo which I have listened to 111 times in the past 24 hours HEH HEH HEH ):

anyway, this is my first time attempting something like this in over four years so I just want a little guidance with the shading/painting in general. Especially the eyes omg lol. I had some eyes there for a while but they were a little wonky!

Also, the facial structure. It's my character Adrien and he's supposed to have quite a prominent/crooked nose so I'm thinking the bridge should be shaded accordingly but I'm not 100% sure. Also I'd like a little input as to the composition; he's supposed to eventually be holding a bird (cuckoo, obvs.) The white circle behind his head is not a halo or a moon but a clock.

I hope it's obvious where the light is coming from but if not, just let me know.

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lolol, hello again o:

well, it looks reallyreallyreally good so far (thanks, now i'm listening to cuckoo spitting blood over and over again :c ). for the eyes, all i think you need is to make the whites a bit brighter than the surrounding skin tone? (as in, make the whites glint the same way the clock in the background does)

but ja! it looks lovely so far. (: i love the facial expression. and his nose would need a bit more blending into the surrounding area, but obv. you're not finished so i'll wait and see what you do with the skin on his face.

ohmyfuckinggod, that picture is so hot I think it gave me a nosebleed

Natural painter you are. 8D

[bleh]

I would maybe put the other eye there? I don't know if that's what you were asking about though, so ignore me if you've got it.

For the composition, I'm love to see him holding the cuckoo in just one hand out to the side. I think it helps fill up that empty space over there nicely. Obviously the arm I drew is totally off [it's like... floating], but that's the idea.

Oh yeah, and I love this piece again. Have I mentioned that?

omg that does look so much better!!

and hahaha thanks. I mostly just paint like this when I'm stressed out, but I am trying to get into it more. as for the eyes, I usually draw one and then the second one last for whatever reason, haha. I dunno, I just think the positioning is off personally, like maybe his eyes are a little small. P: but thank you!

Pff, as far as painting, I can't help you at all, cause I haven't a clue how to do it myself XD

But that's amazing~ Really, I was like D8

Puts anything I could do to shame XD

As far as advice though, like I said, the painting thing I can't help with. But I personally like the way you had it. But I like off-center compositions myself XD I see what Plip is saying, but I think the picture is a tad morbid, supposed make you sit back and say '...wellshit' you know? XD

S'why I though a purposefully off-center or tilted composition would work. Specially with your idea for a background. :3

Yay, two cents, have it~ ❤