#147 Dratini

I'm going to start with the critique first, and finish off with what I like about it, and what was done well.

Starting off, I noticed the pose, and I can't say it struct me as anything amazing, or worth seeing. Dratini has been seen in this pose or similar many many times over. And sadly its not exciting or interesting. The execution of this pose doesn't express much, and it seems off balance even. I mean off balance because when i look at it the feeling that comes over me is unstable, like he might fall over. My suggestion would be to add more motion, or movement to the pose. Instead of making Dratini so stiff, go all out in the sweeping lines and curves. Accentuate them.

Next was the background. It's very simple and I realize it was meant to make Dratini be the main focus, but what it really did was detract from the little dragon. Instead of making it stand out, Dratini seems to get lost in the similar contrast. You used soft light and soft shading on Dratini and the background is so soft and light, and Dratini just seems to lose focus in it.

I gave you three and a half stars on technique because if you ignore the un complementary background, Dratini looks pretty good. I adore the soft shading and the lighting. The small highlights along the edges give it a very 3 dimensional feel. It's certainly not flat. And Dratini being a round Pokemon is very complemented by your shading job. The eyes are also lovely. While they don't convey a lot of emotion. They do convey innocence. Like I'm being stared at by a baby, which can be unnerving as well as wonderful Cause the way babies stare at you is so unusual.

The Dratini itself is very clear and easy to see, and I love your attention to detail when you colored and shaded this. Again though, I wish the background could have complimented this pokemon. But that aside the pokemon looks beautiful. And I really get the baby vibe from it.

Overall, It's not something I'd go out of my way to find again. It was pleasant to look at once, but there was nothing overly amazing that makes me think, "Now that's something I've not seen before." And as common as pokemon are, So much artwork of them, seeing something new or unique is very welcome. You said, Dratini is your favorite, and while you made it look aesthetically pleasing, The overall didn't say, "favorite" to me. When you can show, "This is my favorite!" truly and unadulterated in your work, That's when I'm gonna be impressed and wish to look long and hard. Because I know when you do that you'll be able to express it in a very beautiful and astonishing way.

I hope I wasn't too hard on you, And I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.