trying to improve

[xelfereht]

hello daggers! i'm practicing a lot but i fell kind of stuck, looking for a critique or a paintover of my latest paintings, thanks in advance!

Just a quick one cos i need to sleep..
but yeah you're doing good
For me personally I think having pieces going all the time of various degrees is best
I recommend having a few pieces you want to invest time and thought into pushing till they are as far as your skills can go, and if they fall short for you build your skills and finish them some more.
at the same time have some pieces that are an easier finish that maybe something like a portrait that you can reference but maybe you make it a bit fantastical so you have to bridge between various reference.
do some studies, aimed at where you want improvement, anatomy, faces, and so on.

what im saying is, study with purpose, if youre not sure what youre trying to improve at. find out
from the pieces you showed ill say what i think of them
quite capable
proportions not terrible but some anatomy and perspective could be worked out better.
feels like the aim and mood youre going for hasnt been worked out
a big lack of control over contrast in terms of value, saturation, shape design and size.

youve got a great base here
not you gotta decide some lighting and how youre going to lead the eye to start and flow the piece as you choose
its youre image. flesh it out but again, with purpose
probably part of where the lost feeling comes from. dont worry. i get you and im here to try help where
i would often just stare at the screen not knowing how to push it any more

light, find interesting shapes within the light and shadow that also describe the forms
more contrast of any kind is a way to guide the eye. for example. glow eyes against black.
youve got some different materials, look at that reference, strain your brain and figure out what sets them apart
. that reflective gold gonna reflect warm lght? that gem catch light?
hows the horn look as it connects to skin. fantasy moves good for that stuff.

what she doing? she surprised? she evil? she devious?
she in a room thats very similar colour to her and more saturated to compete with her for attention?
apologies for the ramble
tired, but i hope theres some useful direction in there.
can msg if you you have any questions on the struggles

be good