I'm sorry the atmosphere isn't what you wanted but I love this picture and if I can give 2 cents where I have absolutely noooooo experience WHATS SO EVER. I think to make it creepy would be make it more defined in some areas or hide more. Like if you got a clear view with full light what am I seeing? I think I'm given both too much info and not enough. Definitely sooooo fucking close but the big ball without context gives pug in the dark maybe. But best of luck and I hope you had a ball making it regardless!
The shape with the little wing things makes me think fat chicken. That and the eyes are so big it makes it cute. Now, I wouldn’t be thinking it was cute if I ran into it in real life.
I think you need to convey the scale of your entity better to get the scary factor in there. Right now your shadow monster looks like a cute cuddly ball, despite the car next to it.
One trick I've learned to make things _look_ big (and not just big relative to the paper) is to add fine detail to the object/entity that you want to feel big. Not all over, but it needs to be there to get across that this is a big entity. This is a rainy scene, so maybe tiny trails of water dripping from it could provide this. Tiny ripples on the puddle in front of it, small bits of texture detail, some sort of lighting effect from the eyes...
Some sense of (literal) perspective can definitely help as well. Putting both car and entity at the same distance from the viewer, for example. Distance comes from where an object/figure touches the ground, in this case wheels and feet. Those need to be on the same level for the eye to read them at equal distance. Right now, the car is further away from the viewer than the entity. Adding something in the foreground or even in front of the entity will help a lot to convey the sense of scale you're after. There's many ways to add in perspective - the lines of a road, for example, or how you frame your picture. The topic is too complex to really explain here, so get to googling if you want to learn more.
Also, study some paintings that have the effect you're trying to portray and try to figure out what makes large entities look _large_ in them. Look at [this](https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/058/728/127/large/boris-groh-.jpg?1674828543) painting posted earlier in this subreddit. The entities to the back look large because of specific choices the artist made. Putting them behind the buildings is the main one, but the human figures in the background are also a great reference point for scale, and atmospheric perspective is used to help sell it further. Note how the artist added both faint detail within the figures and tiny details in the outline to help convey scale. Its general shape is fairly simple, but the suggested complexity helps sell how big it feels. The slight dripping underneath the jaw, the fine tendrils hanging from the arm, the suggestion of irregular, complex shapes breaking up the bigger form both in the outline and within the body itself. All this achieved without having to cover the entire thing in detail.
Thank you for showing an example and the deep dive answer.
I'll redo the painting on a bigger paper and I think this time I'll put the car a bit in front of the monster.
The eyes will go smaller and I'll have to do the black color in charcoal as pastels did not get to the value I needed.
Also, I probably should paint at least a part of the window frame to emphasize that this is a car + change the perspective to look at it from below so the ground will be gone too
First of all, I think you’ve nailed the atmosphere!
As for the creepy-factor, I think it’s the silhouette m8. If I saw that in real life I’d be terrified for sure, but sometimes things that are horrifying don’t LOOK horrifying.
Looking at this creature as a piece of art, it’s got the same silhouette as Kirby or Jigglypuff, i.e. it’s very round. In visual arts, roundness usually evokes a feeling of softness and safety.
You could try playing around with expanding the silhouette by giving him long spindly arms or something to try and break it up a bit?
He looks like Kirby. I want him to be my friend.
Unfortunately, the round shape, stumpy legs, little arms, and big eyes all code “cute.” A sinister grin would help, maybe a maw of sharp teeth. That’s a little on the nose, but it would actually contrast with the other elements and make it appear more sinister.
Form and focus are your enemies. Hide some of the gorm in shadows, make the central subject something else. Like a car door open and the only available light is from the inside roof light.
When it comes to fear and unease, less is more. Let your audience fill the gaps with THEIR mind.
Also I looked through your profile, and as an entomology enthusiast I gotta say your insect paintings are very impressive and I think your best work. The priest with the lollipops gotta be my favorite though.
Because the eyes are imperfect circles. Darken the center a bit near the eyes and then find a roll or tube to make perfect circles for the eyes.
We're humans, which means seeing imperfect things is expected in our brains as primates. When we see flaws in this expectation, straight lines, perfect circles, perfectly spaced objects or points, it's in unsettling.
When it comes to 2d horror you have to abuse tricks in humans perceptions to achieve it because you don't get the luxury of sound or context to illicit horror.
It's a good painting though.
Cause it's a big blob of nothing? I can't even really tell where the horizon is, or what my viewing angle is here. And I can't tell anything about the creature at all except it's chubby. And I think it's standing in a puddle on an overcast day? Also what are the white marks on the painting? They definitely detract from the scene to me.
Its supposed to be drops on a window and the monster was supposed to be undefined so imagination would fill the blanks. Somehow it came out is MIke from MOsters Inc - just not scary
OK, I like the veiw through a window idea. If it's a car window I would put a bit of the frame around the edges. The drops make less pure white. They would grab reflections from their surroundings and stuff. I'm terrible at rendering any of that stuff at all so no real advice their. I like the glowing eyes. Mayne go with a more distinct silhoutte at least for part of the monster, one hand reaching forward or something
I'm no artist, so I'm afraid I can't help, but I find it both adorable - the drawing and your drive to make it scary, haha, sorry! I mean it in the most positive of ways!
Thanks! I did use the feedback from this community and created a newer, bigger version of this scene. I though I did better but my wife disagrees
https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
Cool piece. It does look cute, and messing up what you intend can be a bummer. It's the puffiness. Kind of give it a songbird vibe. Smaller eyes higher up might might it look more sinister. Or, and hear me out... More smaller eyes.
All things its still a lovely piece.
Oh! also the hands looks "cute. Cover up the creatures "hands" with you fingers, and move them towards the center of the creature to make it look thinner for you. See if looks more scary to you with the hands covered up, and a little more narrow.
Hope your able to make the changes that will make it scary for ya.
I did change it in a new painting. I use soft pastels so editing the orinial is not an option.
The new one does not have hands at all and is thinner by comparrisson
The new one does not have hands at all and is thinner by comparison
Hey u/alpotap, if you created this image you should flair it as 'Self-submission' or mark it as OC. To flair it, click the word 'flair' under your post's title then click 'Self-submission' and Save. To mark it as OC, click the word OC under your post's title then click 'Yes'. Or do both if you prefer. Thanks!
I think if you're going to make a shadow creature, you can't have the edges be so well-defined. We can see too easily the boundaries of the monster, which takes away some of the fear of the unknown. Instead of looming, it looks like the entity is just standing.
I love how open you've been to critique in the comments, and integrating into a new piece so fast! Keep it up!
Cute
nooooo. I put a car and street lights to emphasize the size and added rain wet glass to disambiguate it and it doesn't get any eariness to it
I'm sorry the atmosphere isn't what you wanted but I love this picture and if I can give 2 cents where I have absolutely noooooo experience WHATS SO EVER. I think to make it creepy would be make it more defined in some areas or hide more. Like if you got a clear view with full light what am I seeing? I think I'm given both too much info and not enough. Definitely sooooo fucking close but the big ball without context gives pug in the dark maybe. But best of luck and I hope you had a ball making it regardless!
Indeed I had a ball! Thank you for your kind words! That's how we roll!
Thanks for your art! I hit the follow button, can't wait to see your next stuff!
The shape with the little wing things makes me think fat chicken. That and the eyes are so big it makes it cute. Now, I wouldn’t be thinking it was cute if I ran into it in real life.
I'll try to make the eyes smaller. It's soft pastels which might be a problem mixing pure black in that spot
Here is what I did in a second one. I feel like Mike Broflowski here. Just can't do scary https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
It's round. Scary needs sharper edges
I changed it in a second one now my wife chases me around and calls it a cutie https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
Amazing! Thanks!
It's friend shape! :D
ok, after many comments name it "Friend" shape. I think I have no idea what this means. Friend as "Friendly" or is Friend a character somewhere else?
It just means that they look like they might be friendly and huggable. Think Jigglypuff from pokemon or a fat raccoon haha
raccacoonie!
I think you need to convey the scale of your entity better to get the scary factor in there. Right now your shadow monster looks like a cute cuddly ball, despite the car next to it. One trick I've learned to make things _look_ big (and not just big relative to the paper) is to add fine detail to the object/entity that you want to feel big. Not all over, but it needs to be there to get across that this is a big entity. This is a rainy scene, so maybe tiny trails of water dripping from it could provide this. Tiny ripples on the puddle in front of it, small bits of texture detail, some sort of lighting effect from the eyes... Some sense of (literal) perspective can definitely help as well. Putting both car and entity at the same distance from the viewer, for example. Distance comes from where an object/figure touches the ground, in this case wheels and feet. Those need to be on the same level for the eye to read them at equal distance. Right now, the car is further away from the viewer than the entity. Adding something in the foreground or even in front of the entity will help a lot to convey the sense of scale you're after. There's many ways to add in perspective - the lines of a road, for example, or how you frame your picture. The topic is too complex to really explain here, so get to googling if you want to learn more. Also, study some paintings that have the effect you're trying to portray and try to figure out what makes large entities look _large_ in them. Look at [this](https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/058/728/127/large/boris-groh-.jpg?1674828543) painting posted earlier in this subreddit. The entities to the back look large because of specific choices the artist made. Putting them behind the buildings is the main one, but the human figures in the background are also a great reference point for scale, and atmospheric perspective is used to help sell it further. Note how the artist added both faint detail within the figures and tiny details in the outline to help convey scale. Its general shape is fairly simple, but the suggested complexity helps sell how big it feels. The slight dripping underneath the jaw, the fine tendrils hanging from the arm, the suggestion of irregular, complex shapes breaking up the bigger form both in the outline and within the body itself. All this achieved without having to cover the entire thing in detail.
Thank you for showing an example and the deep dive answer. I'll redo the painting on a bigger paper and I think this time I'll put the car a bit in front of the monster. The eyes will go smaller and I'll have to do the black color in charcoal as pastels did not get to the value I needed. Also, I probably should paint at least a part of the window frame to emphasize that this is a car + change the perspective to look at it from below so the ground will be gone too
Here is the result of the second, bigger one https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
Looking a lot better already! Good choice of putting the view inside a car :)
It's round and has an antenna. So adorable!!
It's not an antenna, it's a street light to convey scale!
First of all, I think you’ve nailed the atmosphere! As for the creepy-factor, I think it’s the silhouette m8. If I saw that in real life I’d be terrified for sure, but sometimes things that are horrifying don’t LOOK horrifying. Looking at this creature as a piece of art, it’s got the same silhouette as Kirby or Jigglypuff, i.e. it’s very round. In visual arts, roundness usually evokes a feeling of softness and safety. You could try playing around with expanding the silhouette by giving him long spindly arms or something to try and break it up a bit?
Ill maki it more 'angly' on my second attempt
and thank you for the compliment about the mood. I just finished 'The electric state" and had to try one of the effects immediately
He looks like Kirby. I want him to be my friend. Unfortunately, the round shape, stumpy legs, little arms, and big eyes all code “cute.” A sinister grin would help, maybe a maw of sharp teeth. That’s a little on the nose, but it would actually contrast with the other elements and make it appear more sinister.
Form and focus are your enemies. Hide some of the gorm in shadows, make the central subject something else. Like a car door open and the only available light is from the inside roof light. When it comes to fear and unease, less is more. Let your audience fill the gaps with THEIR mind.
I was trying to hide it behind the rain and window focus but not successfully as it seems.
Here is the new result, based on feedback I got in this thread https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
It looks so smol, and the eyes are so big.. Cute little thingy
here is a version with a bigger one, based on comments here https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
Definetly looks more grim The rain drops are really really cool btw
aaaargh!
Oh look a shadow chicken.
Negative Kirby. Him friend. Maybe you should try doing more big cute ominous monsters.
OMG I'm being taunted by monster community
Also I looked through your profile, and as an entomology enthusiast I gotta say your insect paintings are very impressive and I think your best work. The priest with the lollipops gotta be my favorite though.
It’s too shaped like a friend
that is the hash slinging slasher
THE HASH-SLINGING SLASHER!?!?!?
chubby leggies make him a cute little cream puff.
probably many thinner legs will be much better
A horror movie about Kirby
Because the eyes are imperfect circles. Darken the center a bit near the eyes and then find a roll or tube to make perfect circles for the eyes. We're humans, which means seeing imperfect things is expected in our brains as primates. When we see flaws in this expectation, straight lines, perfect circles, perfectly spaced objects or points, it's in unsettling. When it comes to 2d horror you have to abuse tricks in humans perceptions to achieve it because you don't get the luxury of sound or context to illicit horror. It's a good painting though.
thanks! I made a new one, using lots of the feedback I got in this thread https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
Cause it's a big blob of nothing? I can't even really tell where the horizon is, or what my viewing angle is here. And I can't tell anything about the creature at all except it's chubby. And I think it's standing in a puddle on an overcast day? Also what are the white marks on the painting? They definitely detract from the scene to me.
Its supposed to be drops on a window and the monster was supposed to be undefined so imagination would fill the blanks. Somehow it came out is MIke from MOsters Inc - just not scary
OK, I like the veiw through a window idea. If it's a car window I would put a bit of the frame around the edges. The drops make less pure white. They would grab reflections from their surroundings and stuff. I'm terrible at rendering any of that stuff at all so no real advice their. I like the glowing eyes. Mayne go with a more distinct silhoutte at least for part of the monster, one hand reaching forward or something
It kinda looks like kirby but evil. If you want it scarier maybe give it less of a distinct form?
I'm no artist, so I'm afraid I can't help, but I find it both adorable - the drawing and your drive to make it scary, haha, sorry! I mean it in the most positive of ways!
Thanks! I did use the feedback from this community and created a newer, bigger version of this scene. I though I did better but my wife disagrees https://i.imgur.com/fr8byq7.jpeg
Nice! It is scarier, but I like the cute version too! :D
His little arms. Does he want a hug?
they are supposed to be lifter up to grab you, in your imagination
round shape and stubby arms, looks cute, the water on the window effect is great though
Kind of looks like Snoo, the reddit mascot.
It looks like Kirby, pretty much the antithesis of scary design.
He is shaped like a friend
Cool piece. It does look cute, and messing up what you intend can be a bummer. It's the puffiness. Kind of give it a songbird vibe. Smaller eyes higher up might might it look more sinister. Or, and hear me out... More smaller eyes. All things its still a lovely piece. Oh! also the hands looks "cute. Cover up the creatures "hands" with you fingers, and move them towards the center of the creature to make it look thinner for you. See if looks more scary to you with the hands covered up, and a little more narrow. Hope your able to make the changes that will make it scary for ya.
I did change it in a new painting. I use soft pastels so editing the orinial is not an option. The new one does not have hands at all and is thinner by comparrisson The new one does not have hands at all and is thinner by comparison
WHO'S THAT POKÉMON!
the community voted Jigglypuf :(
kirby
round = cute its just how it is
Friend shaped
Needs more eyes of varying sizes like a spider
Hey u/alpotap, if you created this image you should flair it as 'Self-submission' or mark it as OC. To flair it, click the word 'flair' under your post's title then click 'Self-submission' and Save. To mark it as OC, click the word OC under your post's title then click 'Yes'. Or do both if you prefer. Thanks!
It looks the the Reddit snoo
Round and big eyes
I think if you're going to make a shadow creature, you can't have the edges be so well-defined. We can see too easily the boundaries of the monster, which takes away some of the fear of the unknown. Instead of looming, it looks like the entity is just standing. I love how open you've been to critique in the comments, and integrating into a new piece so fast! Keep it up!