Xiphirx- dont know? where did it go? kindof mysterious, sort of like this original post disappearing too :/
Helm - I was hoping youd join in . I think i agree largely with everything pointed out. i like the take on the forearm not holding the whip handle, it makes it feel more commanding and less clumsily ensnared, heh. Though i think if a proper redo were to be done, i think it would probably have to be more severe to the extent that eyecraft suggests, though perhaps it would just be more entertaining to draw a fruit tree behind him.
I dont really think a demon needs genetalia, so i neglected to include it. i guess its just my interpretation of what a humanoid demon would look like.
As for the hand pose for the whip, if you can check out the wip animation, youll see early on theres a gesture where the whip actually is pinned under the arm nunchuck style. i think that set up the initial pose for the arm but i changed the nature of the whip's action without following suit with the arm's pose.
Eyecraft - I like the concept a lot and i think youre dead on. A stronger version of this image needs to be reconceptualized from the very basics of it, its pose. I like what you have going on (i actually like the leg sticking up and out of the flame), not sure the edited arms action is right but the whole concept feels a bit more dynamic, which is what it comes down to, yeah? I can really relate to this feedback and is something im always trying to improve.
wanted to do a quick illustration of action lines here
The right is the original pose and original skeletal structure, middle being a self edit of a more dynamic looking but similar pose, the third is a rough skeleton of your edit.
Theres clearly a stronger sense of action and dynamism in your revision even over the other two, a basic skeleton comparison really helps illustrate it.
Junkboy - Thanks for noticing that little area, heh. Im sure there have been others who have used shading methods like this, its one i happened to explore for a certain project that utilized a comicbook feel to the pixel art. i think its a nice touch when done subtly in certain situations. Its more of a style thing, probably not something that should be a substitute for proper rendering however.
