[WIP] Demon Skull

[PixelCod]

Was doodling today and started to develop this sketch, not looking any critique in particular but thought I'd share some progress shots of it as it evolves 
EDIT: By all means critique away if you have a suggestion though! I didn't mean to seem like i was warding them off 

I based this sketch off of a 3D human skull reference I found online to get the general shapes down. Looking at the initial sketch version, the skull's left cheekbone looks like it needs to move down a touch to match the right side but overall I'm okay with the skull structure and I'm not too worried about making it look too humanoid as it's a mythical creature of sorts.

Initial Sketch:


Initial Shading:


I'm looking forward to shaping the skull more and making the teeth look sharper and more fiendish. Im not sure at the moment but I'm kinda digging the thick outlines on the lineart and the loose, blobby shading that give it a cool graphical element. For the background, I started sketching some city ruins and rocky outcrops so who knows where that's going...

For the moment I'm focussing on just the skull and background but i might try drawing the top of the spine, shoulders and rib-cage etc. if I'm feeling brave.

[Tuna Unleashed]

I really dig the chunky outlines. Looks like you have some fairly minor structural errors with the eye sockets, and the lightsource needs a little more consistency, mostly in regards to how light is hitting the lower jaw.

[MysteryMeat]

I'd say play with your line thickness some to put better emphasis on the lighting. thinner towards light, thicker away from it.

alternatively, rework it so it's rocking mike mignola style binary shading, always goes great with occult designs.

[PixelCod]

Tuna Unleashed (brilliant username btw  ) I hear you about the lighting, especially on the lower jaw, it feels like the shadow should either move up to the top of the jaw or down to the edge of the chin but I'm still figuring out the forms and lighting.

Is there any errors in particular that stick out about the eye sockets or is it more of a general form issue?

[pistachio]

Lighting is all about pushing form. Well that's one of the things it can do, and actually should do here IMO.
But depends on where you want to take this.

I don't know what exactly your goal is here, if this was an anat study that got out of control or what, so the below edit is the result of me jamming for a few minutes.



It still feels pretty lost. Recommend tweaking the composition. Rule of thirds maybe?

[PixelCod]

I don't know what exactly your goal is here ... It still feels pretty lost.

I was primarily doodling, using an image of a skull for anatomical reference, but I'd like to work on it some more and improve the lighting. I was imagining this scene as the aftermath of some battle or war between these demon creatuers and humans and so I just sketched based on that.

I think increasing the canvas width (to give different elements more space) and rendering the form of the skull more realistically would be some good next steps. For now, I think I'll stick to Grayscale while I focus on the values and lighting and think about colouring in the future.