Sketchbook need help making it work June,2012

I can't figure this out. I know there needs to be reflected light from the red glow of the dying soldier, but I can't imagine how I can pull it off. Also the flames and smoke need improvement. As does just about everything because it isn't coming together. How can I take this to the next level?
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need help making it work

Sketchbook Kirk McCosker's portfolio. June,2012

High my name is Kirk McCosker and I'd like to know what I can do to improve my work. I have a feeling that there are skill deficits I'm unaware of that are holding me back.

This is a part of a crimson daggers contest I partisipated in.


Another Crimson Dagger entry I participated in. I decided to brush up on my sprite art skills for this one.


This is an int from a dying forest.


Here's my take on gauntlet.


Pirate time hella fun.


He used to be designed by Rob Leifeild until he took an arrow to the knee.


All of these pieces are from earlier this year.
Kirk McCosker's portfolio.

Sketchbook NSFW - Nudity Gwen Gatsbee's sketchbook - chasing greatness June,2012

Hello, everyone! I'm Gwen. I just turned 18 about a week ago. I've always loved art and doodled in my spare time, but it's been a long while since I've devoted much time or effort to it. I saw a thread on here a couple days ago and experienced a sudden bout of inspiration. Though I usually don't post my art online, I thought that this would be a great opportunity to track my progress and get advice from this awesome, helpful community.

Feeling inspired at about five AM, I grabbed the sketchbook I hadn't touched in years and filled the first page with the first thing that came to mind, not really worrying about anatomy:



Next I decided to actually start thinking about anatomy, since my previous attempts at "style" kind of ruined my perception of it. I looked through some books and the first interesting things I saw were feet.



Then I looked online for some models to reference in lieu of actual life drawing. These are really sorry attempts as I was never very good at realism, but I hope to improve with practice!



Taking a quick shift, I decided to try a still life. I drew the first thing I saw: my phone, and then I saw the first assignment on Concept Art 101, which says to draw something from life and then redraw it with something imagined. So I took that challenge:



Finally I did one last figure drawing, on which I spent a bit more time than my initial scribbles (15 minutes):



So that was my first day after seeing this forum! I drew five pages in a sketchbook that had been empty for years, and that makes me pretty happy. I hope to update this frequently and participate here so I can improve and get involved in this great community--hopefully some of it might rub off on me.
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NSFW - Nudity Gwen Gatsbee's sketchbook - chasing greatness

Sketchbook Creatures...from the left side June,2012

Hi there, two sea creature designs. Just for fun...yep, was fun to do it. maybe you like.
Now enjoy your day...going to bed now...was a long clubing night in berlin....again! cheers, zzzzzz
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Creatures...from the left side

Sketchbook Arches Huile Oil Painting Paper June,2012

Recently saw this and thought I might get a pad and give it a try for some plein air sketches. Certainly looks a lot easier to transport. Any of you guys who paint in Oils managed use this yet and have any thoughts on it?



Arches Huile Oil Painting Paper

Sketchbook NSFW - Sexual Situation Something's off, but what exactly? June,2012

Hey guys. First off, I'd like to thank you all for the great supportive advices. I've learned many things reading other people's trouble and progress. I think I might need some of that right now hehe..

Okay.

I know vectors are not very common around here, but it is the media I like most for what I do. This piece was entirely done in illustrator (including the raster textures which are placed images in corresponding blendmodes and transparencies).

The thing is I can feel there is something off, or lacking, in this piece and I can't point exactly what it is. I just know there is something that will give it the "WOAH!" effect. xD

I think it might have to be with the composition itself (which I'm hopeless if it is). Also, I think the figures don't blend completely with the background. Maybe I'm missing some important aspect on ambience/atmosphere/lightning?

What about the background? I know its very simple, but when I try to give it come complexity I think it steals the attention from the figures. But it does look a bit flat. right?

Or maybe I'm just paranoid.



Some detail...



Thanks
NSFW - Sexual Situation Something's off, but what exactly?

Sketchbook Let's break the ice. June,2012

Hi everyone,
Im Yographic, and I can't stop drawing! I just created my account hopping I can share some cool doodles with you.








Let's break the ice.