Help me improve pleeeease

[Green fairy]

So I\'ve been painting on and off for a few years now and I\'m generally happy with the improvement I feel I\'ve been making. Just read some advise on photos and was rather happy with how my bullywug pic turned out, but disheartened by votes. Unfortunately while I\'m the first to admit I\'m an amatuer, I keep getting votes under 5. It seems these table top minis are of a much higher quality than I\'ve ever come across. Whats with the harsh voting? Most Table top minis I\'ve seen look like they\'ve been painted in the dark with a spatula by a three year old. Don\'t I get any points for creative bases and staying in the lines? Please help! How can I improve my scores? I\'d really like to get to a respectable average level of sixes.... I don\'t have photoshop so I can\'t pull of anything fancy photo wise, so what can I do to improve my painting? Is a black base coat preferable? I\'m getting really depressed about it. Please give me some advise....G

 

[generulpoleaxe]

Lets use one as an example

first up, the contrast is lacking, try to make the shadows darker and the highlights lighter, it will seem almost cartoon like at first until you get used to it.

the metals need a lot of shading added, try to use normal acrylics and not metalics for shading on metals, it cuts out the reflective qualities of the metalics helping to give the illusion of real shadows.

black/dark lining, try to darkline (dark brown or black) items as this not only helps to stand out, it helps with the neatness.

try thinning the paints a little, think of a realy thin cream.
as you get used to that, try thinning it a little more and experiment with different paint to water ratios.

once your used to that try controlled washes (placing the wash where you want it and not just liberaly slap it on)

hope that helps

and don\'t be afraid to p.m. people if need be.
the WIP section of the forum is realy helpfull for people, lots of people give feedback on that part of the forum.

 

[Trevor]

Neat painting, the next step is, as GPA suggested, to push the contrast. Post some WIP threads and we can comment as you go.

 

[Shadzar]

I think this reaper toadman mini is lacking in higher votes, because the mini and background are rather both bright.

Also you can see the grid of the background.

If you take the pic again try with a darker background to let the toadman stand out.

The paint isn\'t all that bad, but a known issue with this site and votes is that the pic often counts for more than the painting of the mini.

I would give this one a 6 as is, but a better background would more than likely raise its score.