Comments: 16
MagerBlutooth [2018-02-04 01:19:35 +0000 UTC]
I do so enjoy analyzing character pieces, especially when it comes to ambiguously anthropomorphic animals. Separating the character from its animal and human components, then determining what sort of human characteristics it has is always a treat. This picture features two cats, a large one and a small one, in a completely empty space. Though a background would add to the immersion, the removal of it communicates that the characters themselves are the sole focus. Though the two cats are especially furry, they each have a noticeable buildup of hair around their mouths, giving them each a "mustache". The effect makes them both look male, in addition to adding that extra bit of "human" look to them.
These cats are very fluffy, though it would be deceptively simple for you to operate on that logic as your guide for designing these two. However, these cats are proportionally fluffy, with the larger, older cat sporting a much heavier overcoat, especially around the legs and tail. The smaller cat has a coat much more appropriate for a long-haired kitten, with maybe a little extra on the face to form that mustache.
Your lines look clean and confident, and there appears to be an acceptable amount of line variance to keep things looking interesting. I like your choice of shading colors that don't use black as a main color, though since the only available light source is white, the contrast to the shading is limited. Your pose work has excellent flow, with the lines of action adding enough variance to not look static. What's unfortunate is that the pose of the little cat has it face away from the camera, reducing the character appeal since there's no expression to read. It communicates a dramatic, possibly snooty attitude through its body language, but since this piece focuses exclusively on the characters, it would be better if you could combine body and facial language. Character pieces are like public speaking. Unless there's something else to show them, face the audience at all times.
What interests me is that you actually managed to capture a stronger sense of personality in the one whose face we cannot see, as the larger cat appears to be sitting down and staring at something out of frame. Since the expression reads very much like a regular cat, I can't tell if this big guy's supposed to be cautious, spacing out, serious, silly, or super intelligent. Showing the object that this cat is looking at would add the much-needed context to give me better insight as to what it's thinking. It could be a rival cat, suggesting the larger cat is protective of the smaller one. Or it could be a giant stuffed turkey, suggesting the larger cat is gluttonous or obsessed with food. If your aim is to keep the image focused exclusively on the characters, I'd recommend keeping their focus within the frame. The direction they are looking guides the eye of the viewer, and if it's out of frame, it draws the viewer's eye out of frame too. If I were drawing this piece, I'd have had the big cat looking at the smaller cat and the smaller cat giving the viewer an arrogant look to show off its majestic fluffiness.
That's about all I have to say on this piece. Take care and make the most! And if you're looking for another cat suggestion, how about an easily agitated Bombay named Kaboom?
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StormWhiskers In reply to MagerBlutooth [2018-03-06 03:13:26 +0000 UTC]
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me such an in depth comment. Your advice about body language, posing, and expression for character pieces is so well set out and I really appreciate it since it's my goal to improve my character art this year. I'll be sure to keep what you've said in mind when I draw from now on as I'm sure it will help to make my art more appealing. Thank you again!
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MoonNebulas [2018-01-21 12:26:59 +0000 UTC]
Oh wow! Can you do a Somali cat?
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Romacat [2018-01-14 12:10:42 +0000 UTC]
So fluffy and cute, love the gray one's expression and the white one is definitely majestic! You should do a big ole fluffy Mainecoon because they are giant fluffy cats. But they are sweet and will follow you around and want all your attention.
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StormWhiskers In reply to Romacat [2018-01-24 07:40:24 +0000 UTC]
I absolutely agree, thank you for your suggestion!
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Romacat In reply to StormWhiskers [2018-01-24 10:58:56 +0000 UTC]
You're so welcome, he's adorable! I'm pleasantly surprised that you did my suggestion!
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theJfluffy [2018-01-14 07:43:03 +0000 UTC]
These cats really sport some fabulous mustaches~!
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make-tracks [2018-01-10 04:46:19 +0000 UTC]
Yellowfang!!! woooooooo
but wow these look amazing!! <3
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StormWhiskers In reply to make-tracks [2018-01-22 11:31:29 +0000 UTC]
Needs to have a grumpier face to be Yellowfang, this one is just super dumb (but I was definitely thinking about her when I drew it.)
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