How's this artwork looking so far?

[Demy]

Any criticism is acceptable really...

[scarlet_wings_kaili]

The good stuff:
I like how the background is burrlier than the character, which makes him stand out

Suggestions:
Anatomy: The guy is off balance, and there is something strange about shoulders/neck/head
Add feet

[Demy]

I was actually going to cut off the bottom (blank) part because the reference I am using for this doesn't really have one for feet. I thought it was a bad idea to draw his feet without reference so I just decided that I was going to cut that part off.

Yeah he's a bit off balance I think. His chest like twists a bit too much now that I think about it, but I'd probably have to redraw the whole thing to fix that (I inked it already) so I guess its something to consider for my next artwork.

[scarlet_wings_kaili]

I think maybe his torso is leaning too much to one side too :o

[hamstertoybox]

A good start You need to tilt his rib cage more, in the same direction as his shoulders. And line up his pelvis and rib cage more, so he looks less off balance.

[ZatchZ]

What species is that creature?

[Demy]

Is that some kind of snide remark or a genuine question?

[ZatchZ]

Yes. To the latter question.

[Demy]

Like its supposed to be a person. Does it look that bad or something?

[ZatchZ]

I dunno, that's subjective to who's looking at it. The bigger question is, "Are you willing to take the right steps to improve?"

[Demy]

Well yeah. I mean I did ask for criticism. Criticism does help others improve after all.

[sandpaperdaisy]

These are the suggestions I'd make as well!

I also noticed that his legs are more shaded and it is in a horizontal hatching style with many strokes, as opposed to the smoother shading of the torso. It seems to delineate his top half from his bottom half, possibly in an unintended way.

Incidentally, I think it's cool that you're tackling a male figure in a dynamic pose.

[Demy]

That's probably because I used a different kind of pencil for the legs (4B) compared to the chest (6B or 8B) and I spent a bit too much time shading with hatching.

I'm not sure I can fix the rib cage problem since I went over it with pen. I'll have to keep that in mind for the next big piece I do. Is there any other suggestions (like the background or something?)

[sandpaperdaisy]

I'd say in terms of the tree, the impression given right now is an anomalous and threatening tree with limbs reminiscent of tentacles. If this is the intention, then I think you were successful. If you were trying to make a non-threatening tree, then I'd recommend snapping some phone pics of trees around or checking out some google images and referencing photos and pictures to make more naturalistic looking forms (or draw trees from life).

That's about all I got! Hope any of it helps.

[Demy]

Well the reference I was using had a tree that I think looks similar to what I am drawing. I'm not too sure, here compare and contrast yourself.

Yeah I should try to draw more trees from life or something.

[sandpaperdaisy]

It may be that the photo is not lit enough to see them, but it appears that there are no small and tiny branches coming off your large limbs at angles. Even a bare tree has these, hence the "smooth tentacle" appearance of a tree that is drawn without them. You don't need to spend hours and hours, but it would probably benefit you to be a bit more thorough with your backgrounds if you're going to have them.

[Demy]

Ah okay. I should have considered that. It was hard to see the angles of the branches through this reference. Next time I'll find a better one, though of course I need to draw some trees from life as practice.

[sandpaperdaisy]

Well I wish you the best of luck! I think it's awesome that you're looking for feedback on your art journey. It's just too easy to sit back and let yourself stagnate. (At least I've certainly had lazy times) Anyway, happy drawing!