Megapower vs. Superman

[Carl_Shinyama]

I just checked your dA gallery, and I saw that Megapower has a costume that is not dissimilar from Green Lantern's, in that he wears a mask and has green in his costume. I think you should pick a non-green color scheme or ditch the mask, one or the other. You should try to avoid any similarity to Green Lantern.

You think so? The teal/white color combo doesn't stand out considerably from Green Lantern? I chose the teal/white combo because it is unique in comics - I know of no superhero with that combo. That said, I did play around with a lot of color schemes, and I did have an alternate white costume picked out, too, so I'll definitely consider your advice.

I'll admit: I focused a lot more on giving him a unique background, personality, and stories, believing that if each of those were strong, it wouldn't really matter to the reader thought he had a somewhat superficial resemblance to another character.

And thanks for checking my gallery

[Flegler]

On a slightly related topic, and maybe it's because I'm new here to PencilJack, but I'm seeing a lot of people calling this site a critique forum. While that is probably true, I've looked and looked, and there's nothing on the PencilJack site that says explicitly this forum is a critique forum. If so, please point that out to me. That way, I'll just keep the fun stuff to myself and I'll post the more serious stuff here.

Hey Carl!

May I suggest that you start a BLOG to share your work? I can't guarantee that people won't crit, but at least it will give you an outlet to express yourself.

Personally, I only post work on these threads for critique; it is my blog that I post just to post.

[Carl_Shinyama]

Hey Carl!

May I suggest that you start a BLOG to share your work? I can't guarantee that people won't crit, but at least it will give you an outlet to express yourself.

Personally, I only post work on these threads for critique; it is my blog that I post just to post.

Oooo! Thanks, I think I'll do that instead!

[Ace Corona]

You think so? The teal/white color combo doesn't stand out considerably from Green Lantern? I chose the teal/white combo because it is unique in comics - I know of no superhero with that combo. That said, I did play around with a lot of color schemes, and I did have an alternate white costume picked out, too, so I'll definitely consider your advice.

I'll admit: I focused a lot more on giving him a unique background, personality, and stories, believing that if each of those were strong, it wouldn't really matter to the reader thought he had a somewhat superficial resemblance to another character.

And thanks for checking my gallery

When people look at your character for the first time, they don't take into consideration the time you spent developing his background, origin, etc...

They just look at the green in the costume, the mask, the short brown hair and think to themselves: "Hey, that looks almost identical to the Hal Jordan version of Green Lantern. I realize there are some differences as you pointed out, but to me, there seems to be more similarities than differences. Especially that mask, it looks just like Green Lantern's. I didn't realize the color was "teal," but it looks close enough to green that a layman would think that was green in the costume.

That being said, I think you are a remarkable artist, and your drawings look very professional. My argument against the costume design was just superficial, your actual art skills are remarkable.

[Carl_Shinyama]

When people look at your character for the first time, they don't take into consideration the time you spent developing his background, origin, etc...

True, I've been guilty of doing that myself.

They just look at the green in the costume, the mask, the short brown hair and think to themselves: "Hey, that looks almost identical to the Hal Jordan version of Green Lantern. I realize there are some differences as you pointed out, but to me, there seems to be more similarities than differences. Especially that mask, it looks just like Green Lantern's. I didn't realize the color was "teal," but it looks close enough to green that a layman would think that was green in the costume.

That being said, I think you are a remarkable artist, and your drawings look very professional. My argument against the costume design was just superficial, your actual art skills are remarkable.

Thank you very much for the compliment!

I think one possible solution might be to go for a brighter shade of teal. That might lower the confusion.

It's funny, I originally didn't want a mask, because I wanted to show his face, but in the end, I chose it because he's got a secret identity to maintain, even if he can transform from a skinny high school kid into Megapower. I think I'm going to keep the mask for now. I may toss it down the line.

[Beastie]

On a slightly related topic, and maybe it's because I'm new here to PencilJack, but I'm seeing a lot of people calling this site a critique forum. While that is probably true, I've looked and looked, and there's nothing on the PencilJack site that says explicitly this forum is a critique forum. If so, please point that out to me.

This is from the posting guidelines and etiquette thread:

Be prepared: The goal of the Penciljack Forum is to be an inclusive learning environment. As such, all art posted in the Bullpen is subject to critique by all members.

Personally, if I don't want to hear specific feedback on the finer points of a piece of work I've done, I just post it in my member's blog thread. That way I keep a chronological record of everything I've done - but it doesn't invite responses in the way that posting work in the 'finished work' or 'sketches and WIPs' forums does (even though people can crit wherever they want to on this site).

I also think that some people will get a little bit miffed if you post a piece of work up -- then they spend 20 minutes of their time giving your feedback and guidance -- only for you to say 'yeah, thanks, but this is just a fun piece and I've no intention of changing it'.

So, yeah, just basic PJ forum advice. People will give you their time - so you need to make sure they're not wasting it on you

[Carl_Shinyama]

Thanks Will do

[golgotha]

popninja is not a troll with 11,000 posts. that is ridiculous. he has shared many awesome drawings and has wise words. i agree with him. if you are spending time drawing superman you should show more than his cape and butt.

[Sedani]

Popninja says it how it is plain and simple, it's harsh 99% of the time, but you can't escape the truth. And go to pummel, he just had a piece up

[jal-el]

people here have various levels of skill. to critic someone harshly to a standard they are not ready to obtain is to do them an injustice. thats what a lot of people like popninja don't get. everyone needs to remember, YOU or ANY one else will never draw a perfect picture. EVER. so beating up on someone aint right. he has every right to be defensive, as a matter of fact as long as he learns, he can say what ever he wants. popninja can crit, we all can crit. but we should respect the level of the artist as well.