Critique my Coloring?

So for this one I had intended to add more white, and maybe stripes, but I spent about an hour trying different markings but nothing looked right, so I've ended up with this. I know I did a horrible job on the mane and hooves, so I'll work on that.


I can't seem to get the hang of white markings, as you can tell.

So, I was thinking about making characters to sell on here, so I decided to make a few practice ones before I try sellling them. Haven't done any digital art in a few years and I've never gotten into characters before (I've never even posted any of my recolors online before). So I'd love some critique on how to make these better, and maybe some info on how art selling works on here(pricing, giving credit for lines, etc)?

Lines by Whiteligtning on DA
https://whiteligtning.deviantart.com/

Last edited on 2017-12-07 at 19:27:21 by Novaturient

THATS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Wow, I really like your style! The bright backgrounds are a little distracting for me - more neutral colors or "clear" would allow easily distracted people like me to focus on the character! I would love to see how you handle markings (especially and selfishly appaloosas, hehe). Your white markings actually look good to me, from the small examples! 

You are doing great giving credit - it needs tk be large enough to read easily and be a full link (for example, not just "whitelightening"). I personally like a clickable link in the post too. I am a stickler for correct crediting and actually will not buy art that is not correctly credited. 

Pricing can be anywhere from 75k for a simple character  to 300k+ for more complicated ones. Backgrounds, a color palette, etc. add value.

I think you have a nice, subtle style and I would buy from you! ^-^

Last edited on 2017-12-07 at 19:42:53 by North

Hi there! Feel free to message me about any art related questions you may have anytime.

As far as these two designs go, I'm not sure what you mean about the mane and tail on the first one. The coloring looks fine to me, maybe slightly rough on staying inside the lines but hair can be hard in that respect since the lines thin out, so no biggie there. The hooves are also fine, though the shading on them looks a little odd as the rest of the horse isn't shaded.

For white markings you did well in picking an off white, never go pure white, it just looks unnatural xD same thing with pure black. I think you just went ever so slightly too dark though so it looks a little dirty. I usually go for a creamy milk white so it looks clean but still natural, and the pink is on the warmer side rather than cool, so think orange-salmon-ish kind of pink rather than a purpley pink. (Example)

Also with reference images you don't want the background to outshine the subject (the character) so keeping to muted tones and hues usually sells better as it's more visually appealing.

For crediting, you always want to make sure that whatever art you produce has a way for people to find you on the image (account name@Equiverse.com, account number@Equiverse.com, deviantart url, etc.) as well as the same thing if you use someone else's lines, a stock image, greyscale, or anything that you didn't make yourself.
You also always have to make sure you have permission and follow the rules from the source if you use something that isn't completely yours.

Pricing is about what North said,^^ it really depends on how clean the character is, if it's simple or complex, if it looks really cool vs. just kind of existing, and sometimes artist reputation can be a factor as well (not being overbearing on rules and having a reputation of being a reliable seller in terms of customer service help loads).

Overall your designs look very clean, keep it up! I can't wait to see more from you.

Last edited on 2017-12-07 at 20:57:31 by ξιίzα Ð

@A Christmas Tornado Thank you so much!!

@North Thank you so much, the info about backgrounds is really helpful, I'll be sure to try a transparent background and subtle shades. The info on crediting is very helpful too, I actually just found out how to put in a clickable link so I'll be sure to do that!

@Eliza D Thank you so so much for the information, what I meant about the mane in the first one was that I did a messy job staying in the lines(that's easily fixed though), and blend between the more brown and creamier shades doesn't look right to me, but I didn't know how to fix it, haha.

And THANK YOU for the bit about the off-white and pink shades, I'll definitely work on that.

I think they look awesome and feel your white markings are good. Great job

@ mgarabs Thank you so much!

Amazing!!!! Do you use pixrl?

@ CountryGirlQH's Thank you! And I use Kleki to color.