What aspects of my art can be improved?

[nekoendy]

This is my most recent comic page (Magnifica):

What do you think that could be improved?
Thanks in advance.

[A-weird-girler]

work on poses more, you're characters look a bit stiff

[nekoendy]

Ever since I started drawing 10 years ago, people say my characters are stiff, I don't know what to do about it...
Maybe show me the characters of that page with "non stiff" pose?

[onyefrankie]

I'm not much of an artist but I have a question. Why are their legs exposed? (They are right? I don't have my glasses so I'm not sure XD) Won't that be a handicap in a fight? They could aim for their exposed skin and the like.

[punkarsenic]

Ever since I started drawing 10 years ago, people say my characters are stiff, I don't know what to do about it...

gesture! geeeeestuuuure!!!!!

im not feeling up to explaining things rn, i dont think id do a great job at it, so im gonna link to some great advice i got about a year ago now

Most art styles outside of semi-realism and realism do not adhere strictly to human anatomical rules. This includes anime, western animation, comic art, etc. Take a look at your big inspirations artistically and pay attention to what they're doing--as long as you're aware of general proportions and how to balance proportions in a way that look intentional and functional, you shouldn't be worried about whether things are anatomically exact or not, again, especially if you are going for a more car…

at first, understanding when a drawing is stiff can be really hard. but as you develop your gesture drawing, itll become like second nature. its something you can really get a feel for with time.

__

also, i think you could do with some studies on how long hair works. the way you have your long haired characters hair, it looks very shaggy, and not representative of how long hair works. most hair will all be the same length, with one or two off flicks - when drawn like you have, it looks like they have a tail attached to their head.

your shading on the armour in that splash panel is really strong, but elsewhere you could do with higher contrast and less white space.

[HollowEve]

Personally, I'd say their necks look a little long, but I'm not an artist, so that may be normal.

[nekoendy]

also, i think you could do with some studies on how long hair works. the way you have your long haired characters hair, it looks very shaggy, and not representative of how long hair works. most hair will all be the same length, with one or two off flicks - when drawn like you have, it looks like they have a tail attached to their head.

I tried several types of hair for the woman that appear in bandages, this one is the only one I found to be "less generalist". If I change her hair a single bit, she'll look totally different...

[Samuraiflame]

I really like your style! I'm a big sucker for fantasy armor and weapon designs, huehue.

I think I have to agree with @HollowEve that the necks are a bit too long, and their heads are leaning too far away from the body. Here's a quick reference I found on twitter that might be helpful.

TESCO@漫画素材工房 (Manga_Materials)

[nekoendy]

Man, drawing humans is a pain, I didn't get a single complain about the Forest
Not so long ago, my necks were too short, now they're too long

Anyways, this is not my main comic. this is just a one-shot I wanted to draw. I think the clean style makes my mistakes stand too much, I think I'll go back to the sketchy style...

[nekoendy]

The more armor, the most restrictive the movements will be, If you can't evade, you'll get killed even if you're covered with armor from feet to head
And their legs aren't exposed, this comic is inspired by Claymore and Berserk, ´nough said

[IdiotWithPencil]

y'all need geeezture draaaawiiings

The more armor, the most restrictive the movements will be

false!, look up some medieval armour videos, full plated armor is a lot less restrictive and more flexible than movies, or manga in this case, would lead you to believe =P
*studies too many armor videos for his comic

in fact if it was that restrictive nobody would use it, since they could not move effectively or quickly in battle, and believe you me in real medieval combat speed and flexibility is a must

[lynestjules]

Before I moved, I went to some life drawing sessions at the art center in town. We did long poses as well as gestures. It's incredibly helpful. You'll see a huge difference in your artwork because of it.

[nekoendy]

Does this count as gesture drawing ? o.o

[onyefrankie]

What @IdiotWithPencil said. Armor has been used for centuries and contrary to popular belief, if you've fine through enough training for them to even hold that sword beside them, full armor won't be restricting at all. Also, I don't know much about your comic but Berserk definitely had fantasy elements and the guy was boss so I can't really tell if your character would be like that. Was only asking from what I was seeing.

[IdiotWithPencil]

Won't that be a handicap in a fight?

yep =P between two people who have comparable skills if one is completely armored and the other one isn't the one with armour would win 9 times out of 10 if we are talking about swords of course, if she had a hammer and shield that would be another story (hammers cave plat like butter and the shock is absorbed by the body)

[IdiotWithPencil]

Figure study practice tools for artists

put the 30 min class mode once a week or how often you want, help like magic

[nekoendy]

Well, this is a supernatural fantasy comic, considering the forces involved, armor is purely decorative, the majority of the other characters don't even use armor.
Look at the woman in bandages, if she was in her top form, the woman wearing the armor wouldn't even have time to draw her sword

[punkarsenic]

im not sure what you mean by 'less generalist', and i disagree tbh. can i try an example?

vs

dyou see how it's the same long curly hair, but with less flicks and a little more looseness it looks more like continuous strands?

[nekoendy]

You're right.
Thank you all for the tips, I'll try to implement them in the next pages.

[feuersichel]

I know that feeling too well xD first i did too smal noses and now they are too big... But don't worry and keep on drawing and improving. Even though its very frustrating sometimes you still will improve. Look back on some older stuff and you will see btw. I really enjoy the forest and how balanced the details are.