I'd love some feedback and criticism!

[Miniaturesden]

Hello, I've started painting 4 months ago and I'd like your opinion on a miniature I just painted. The votes it recieved on the site are not very flattering and I know I could do so much better but I don't know where to start or what to do to do the steps required to make it perfect (or at least close to it).
I'd really love if you guys could give me some feedback on what needs to improve and also what kind of quality it is at the moment. Is it a ugly tabletop piece or can I at least be alittle proud of it?
Thank you for your help! Happy painting everyone

http://www.coolminiornot.com/423749
http://www.coolminiornot.com/423748

 

[Pygmalion]

I am totally no expert. That said, here is what I see:

Your colors are clear and well defined. Your brush control is good.

Things look a little flat to me. Your highlights don’t go very high and you don’t have much in the way of shadows.

If I were painting this (and I am nothing like typical in how I paint), I would add some colored shadows to unify the figure a little, maybe a violet somewhere between the red of the cloak and the blue of the armor and used on both, and maybe on the skin too (violet shades green very well, I find). Also more highligts.

 

[Ritual]

Your mini looks very well painted for someone who've painted for only four months. It doesn't have any obvious "beginner" flaws, such as messiness, thick lumpy paint etc. It is neatly done, but quite unremarkable. Don't let that stress you out, though. When you see pictures of expertly done stuff, keep in mind that those people have painted for probably 10-20 years, at least. Some of them professionally, as well, meaning they've basically done nothing BUT paint for several years.

If I were you, I'd start the process of refining your style by working on basic skills, such as blending and light placement. Try to gradually increase the contrasts between light and dark on you miniatures and learn how to make those transitions look nice. Study, and more importantly, experiment with what colours you can shade and highlight various base colours to get an effect you like. Sometimes black and white can work well, but many times that method will give you slightly sterile and dull results.

Also, I'd start thinking what style of painting you want to go for. What painters do you really like and what sort of things are you more keen on doing, yourself? Knowing that might help you pick and choose, more economically, when you look for inspiration and tutorials etc. It can be quite daunting and overwhelming if you don't know where you want to go.

The most important thing you can do to improve yourself is to keep at it and paint as much as you can. You need practice to get better. Reading stuff, watching videos etc. is fine, but unless you do your hours actually painting, you will not get anywhere.

 

[Miniaturesden]

Thanks a lot for both posts. Looking back at the mini after reading your opinions I see that you're right. I need to work more on my contrasts and possibly on black lining as well, that helps a lot making things pop out.
I'll try to work on these things on my next project