Hi all! I'm working on incorporating color into my sketches (turns out its a lot harder than I thought) and I was hoping people could help me out with some tips and critiques. For example, the part I was most frustrated with was the clothing and coloring it with navy blue - it doesn't look smooth at all. Any helpful hints there?

Here is the link: http://rootedheart.deviantart.com/art/Benevolent-506463618

Hey!

I like your drawing. As for the clothing, I think you should shade the folds around the armpit, that will help it look more "natural", because otherwise it just looks flat. The eyes look a bit separated, and the hair, a little matted. If you need, get some reference photos to help you. Keep on practicing, and you'll improve!

As far as anatomy is concerned, head is larger then the body. The shoulders are supposed to be longer, but next time smaller head just by a fraction. As for the eyes and the face. I would like you to go look at yourself in the mirror and pay close attention to the eye that is farthest away. And see where it exactly drops off. Because the eye doesnt exactly cut itself in half. Nose and mouth are misaligned. So what you like to do is have a general guide line down the middle of the face.

Also I suggest that when you start the drawing. Start off with the circle then put that circle in a rectangle box from the top of the head down to the chin. run a line through that and you should have the basic guidelines and width of the head. Practice. practice practice.

Thank you both! That's exactly the sort of constructive criticism I need. I've been drawing so long without paying attention to anatomy or accuracy that my people have become an awkward mix between cartoon and real-life. You're right, the only way I'll be able to fix that is care and practice. I'll definitely be working on it. :) Thank you again.