"Talia" by Rachael Evans

Those boots are bitchin! Love em! As for constructive crits, perhaps make her face a little more interesting with a razor thin scar...like a rapier that just missed? Also, I dig earings on my pirates. I love the dagger and the choker necklace. If you're going for color, I think yellow and purple would be interesting. No one ever sees a pirate in yellow...always red or something.

So, there you have my two cents! Huzzah!

Rachael Evans replies: "Well thank you very much! She actually is suppose to have a scar, but it's on the other side of her face. Maybe I'll just make it barely visible. I'm glad someone *finally* decided to comment on her. I hope I get more when she's finished."

Wandered by for something else, but decided to take a look at this pic instead, (for now anyway). Okay - let's see if I can explain what I see to you...
The heel of the boot in front seems odd. There is no depth to it, as is the rest of the pic. Finish up her finger tips, (ie- nails, etc.) Her breasts seem a bit low on her chest. Most women's breasts begin the cleavage cut just about even with the center of the arm pit - they also seem a bit swished, moreso than full. Her neck seems a bit short for the length of her torso. Once you add some more detail, I think this pic is going to be very good. To me, the proportions of the head and body are just fine. Hair is good, pose is good. I like the little bend of the hand, that's a good touch. You might want to open her mouth a bit and make her lips fuller. Maybe put a tattoo on her shoulder or just below her neckline somewhere (sun, moon, star combos are always good).
Let me know when you dress this up, I'd love to see it.

Rachael Evans replies: "You're so awesome! I never knew that little bustline / arm pit bit of advice, I'm going to remember that from now on ^^ Of course, I've already got it shaded and what not by the time I read this comment, but I think it's fixable. I think the model photo I used for reference was rather tall, and sort of hunched over *?* Or it could just be me *whistles innocently* She's in the mod's queue right now, so I'm not going to delet my current ticket, but I'll for sure have to try those couple of tips you gave me and see how she turns out. It's so nice to get a thoughtful opinion.*looks up* Yours was thoughtful too James! I promise if I ever put her in color she'll wear yellow ^.^"

Ok, starting with the critical stuff: The head is a bit too small for the rest of the body to be proportional. The shoulders are a bit broad, and are made to look that much wider by the small head. The hands and feet, while proportional to the size of the head, are a bit too small for the body. Otherwise, it's a very good picture. She's got character and depth. And breasts . . . the best way to figure out where they do and don't start and stop is by taking a gander at your self in the mirror. It helps out a great deal! And breasts will sit both higher and lower on the body, depending upon what kind of support you've got going. When I'm in a regular bra, I start cleaving even with the top crease of my armpit, and if I'm in a bodice . . . well, I bubble up at my collar bones . . . lol . . . and without any support . . . well, I'd rather not scare you. LOL!!! It also depends upon the cup size the subject is packing, too. Smaller breasts will are more likely to be pert and high on the chest, where larger ones have a tendency to hang a bit more. But I digress. This is a very good picture. Take a look at some anatomy books. Those will help a good deal with some proportion stuff. Otherwise, good luck!

Rachael Evans replies: "Well bless your heart! I thank you for being so honest in your asessment! I asked about four different people, though they were friends or family of mine, if her head was too small and they *all* said 'no, it looks fine to me.' Sheesh! Where can a girl get some help, ya know? So anyway, thanks a bunch sweetie for not sugar coating it ^.^ Now I have to figure out if it will be easier to *go back* and re-do it, or if I should just start anew *sigh* I used photo reference for her, which gave me a little more confidence than I normally have in myself, so my own judgement of her proportions was a little off, but I'm glad that the great artists and friends of Elfwood are here to help ^.^ I see what you mean about the different sizes and weights of breasts, and I know they differ on all sorts of women *and sometimes men ~ hee hee hee* Thanks a million Christine! I really, really appreciate your comment on this piece, I really wanted to get this one right ~ back to the drawing board I suppose. Would you like to know after I re-do her? Take care now."

Wow, great job i love the clothing, very unique and the hair is awesome also, although i thiink the chin is a tad pointy, still everything llooks great, keep up the awesome work

Rachael Evans replies: "  Hey, thanks Zach ^.^ I'm glad someone likes her clothes! I've seen quite a few things that are off about her body and her proportions, so I'll probably be revamping her when I get some time. Thanks for the comment! Take care!"

Hmmm...I see what people are saying with the anatomy stuff...however, I don't think there's more I can add, so I won't. I would LOVE to see the pic if you decide to redo her...

I will say that right now she looks much better than anything I could ever draw...at least anything human.

Rachael Evans replies: "Awww, come on! I know you could exceed this if you put your mind to it ^^ Thanks for such sweet words though, always makes one feel good about themselves! I believe I will redo her, I think I can do better. And I *will* let you know for sure when she posts!"

VERY good shading. Her clothes and body look quite realistic, but her face looks somewhat.... unrealisticish. I especially like the band on her arm. It actually looks like it is wrapped around, not just a bunch of lines.

Rachael Evans replies: "I know what you mean about her face, I wish this had turned out better, but I'll let you know when I re-do it. *beams* I worked pretty hard on that bandage, trying to make it look sort of worn and useful ^.^"

Well, since I'm not an artist and couldn't really point any minute details concerning artistic stuff, I'll just say that I really like the pose on this one. She does appear to have one serious attitude! She looks really good though, and besides for some of the things that other people have already pointed out, I say kudos on this one. You did another magnificent job!

Rachael Evans replies: "*hee hee* Thanks sweetie! Sometimes we just need to hear things like that."

*does eight comment dance* O.O just when I thought you couldn't get better, you go and do something like this... *seems in deep deep thought about the picture* hmmm... this is just a thought, but if I were to place her somewhere, I would put her crounching in a tree with a dagger or sword (maybe a spear even) held underhand (or as I call it mantis style) just a thought... ANOTHER AMAZING WORK!! (stop getting better! your not giving me time to catch up! XD j/k)
*hugs* bye!

Rachael Evans replies: "*hee hee hee ~ 8th comment dance ~ funny*
Hey Keaton, thanks so much for the encouraging words! I'm actually in the process of making her over. I've come to find after many many years of drawing that I work best in drafts. As in, my first draft is not usually my best, and if I do too many then I just screw things up, but if I can manage to do three or four drafts of the same picture, it ends up much better than the first. So I am currently working on the second draft of Talia, and there may be a third, we'll just see how this one turns out ^^ Sorry for rambling, I'll let you know when the re-worked version is up."

A very cool pic! The pose is excellent! I love the detail in this one, particularly the wraps around the arms and the shading of the hair. The boots are well done too, look just like shiny leather! Great job!

Rachael Evans replies: "Thanks Gavin! I'll be updating her soon (I hope). I hope you come back and see it when it's done."

I know whatca mean when ya say they look better without color. I tried to color an undead dragon I drew once and it came out really unrealistic. Really nice picture. (dissapears, then falls from shy because Lanyx cant get a grip on the branches. Unconcious, a lil ball-o-fuzz drags him out.)

Rachael Evans replies: "I'm going to re-do this picture ~ there are some anatomy problems I need to take care of, and then I'll decide if I want to use markers or not to color. I'll let you know when she posts ^^"