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Jaffa the bearded dragon

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Hilary Pearce

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Posted
So with trepidation here is progress so far on Jaffa, the bearded dragon (and yes he does smile for the camera).  Your thought, critique, advice would be very gratefully received.  This is my first use of acrylic ink brush pens and although I really like them i still don’t know what I’m doing really.

Linda Drury

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Posted
Ive just made a comment on your previous post Hilary, good work so far!!

Alan Bickley

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Posted
Me too, a good start, well done!
IMG_0700

Gillian Cooke

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Posted
Yes good start! 
my profile pic10

Lewis Cooper

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Posted
It's looking terrific so far, those brush pens are working well for you.

Katy Dean

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Posted
Yes looks good. Hilary.

Hilary Pearce

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Posted
So a bit of a disaster, I tried to add the foreground, this is the slate clippings Jaffa has in the cage.  I think its too dark and Ive lost some definition.  I’m inclined to start again....................

Katy Dean

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Hi Hilary, to my eye is doesn’t look too dark, in fact if it were mine I would make the immediate shadow where Jaffa touches the ground darker. Be interested to see what others think. Have you tried looking at the photo in monochrome, it helps me with tonal values. I expect I saw that tip from someone on the forum.

Tessa Gwynne

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Nooooo don’t start again! I agree with Katy, it doesn’t look too dark to me. If anything you could make it even darker which could recapture your definition under Jaffa’s body. I might also be tempted to slightly change the look of the chippings so that they are not horizontal but leading a little towards us. The texture on his skin is excellent by the way. I’m sure you can work this one out. Don’t give up on it!

Tessa Gwynne

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Oops duplicated by mistake!

Edited
by Tessa Gwynne

Linda Drury

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Posted
I agree with Tessa, keep the dark under the main body, you could try blending some of the outer edges of shadow out with some wet kitchen paper, that might help soften the edges.

Alan Bickley

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My immediate reaction was to suggest darkening the shadow areas, particularly under the dragon, and that seems to be unanimous! It’s absolutely fine, and no need to start again. Forget detail on the slate in the background, keep that slightly lighter and it doesn’t need much, if any detail. It conflicts with the detail on the reptile.
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