Critique me, please! - first back paint

My kid sister visited me a few weeks ago, and she's a free-spirited type, and let me paint her back. She's a Harry Potter fan, so I wanted to do something reminiscent of that without getting too literal about it.

Would love some feedback. I like it mostly, but I know it could have gone a lot further if I had a fraction of the creativity of some of you on here. So please - have at it - good and bad, I want to hear. Especially how you position your models to prevent the lopsidedness that happens when you paint all from one vantage point (I was sitting on her left since I'm right-handed, and things came out not as symmetrical as I thought once she got up.)

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I think its awesome, lovely work.

oh my that is just goreous!..what beautiful colors and what a great job in doing it! tfs

I think its pretty amazing as is!!

very cool! really like how the flames come up her back, placed just right!

Dear Sunrise:

That is breathtakingly gorgeous.
So imaginative!

Lisa
fesspenter

I barely noticed the unevenness of the art. if anything it adds depth. great work! well done

It's beautiful - and I wouldn't have called it unsymmetrical - didn't even notice except that you mentioned.....

Gorgeous!

Looks great! I mean super great. And not enough lopsided to matter! but I know what you mean about thinks getting twisted- it can go very wrong without you knowing it. If you are super worried about it, you can just put on a few guide marks before getting started while they are standing up straight.

I love it! It is beautiful!

I am sorry, but to me there is nothing to critique. I love this, it is awsome! I wish I could draw like that.

Beautiful!!!

It is great.

It is really great!!!!

I think its magical and even the muggles would love it.

I would not be 1/2 the painter I am now , if my fellow artists had not helped me when I asked for critiquing:)
It is very brave to put yourself out there and ask for help, so I for one will give it:)

What i like about it:
1)Your use of colour, the bird really pops on the background
2)You can draw( not all face painters can!!), so there is nothing wrong with the actual drawing of the bird

What needs work:
1) your blending and base work is very blotchy on the back ground, it is not smooth and even. this does come with learning and practicing:) This does come with knowing how to use the different brands and learning how to use the different tools. Like sponge, body brush or kabuki brush

2) when doing body painting,bolder outlines work better than lighter strokes.This helps your work to be seen from further away, and makes it Pop more.

3)If you ever get the chance to take a workshop from Mark Reid ..do! he does amazing flames!

You are off to a very good start, and i hope this helps:)

I think that is awesome! My daughter who is a HUGE HP fan, would love this! Way to go!

Thanks everybody, for the praise, and THANK YOU especially, Shelley, for the tips! You're right - I suck at bases, and it is very frustrating. I was using about 6-year-old Snaz for this, so that might have something to do with the low quality, but even with new stuff I have trouble finding my way around a smooth, even base. Still learning!

Good point on the bolder lines. I tend to have a delicate touch. Will make a note of the need to get bolder on larger canvases.

Going to look up Mark Reid now...

I'm in awe...it's beautiful! Bravo !

Wow! It is truly beautiful.

Fantastic!

I <3 Harry Potter!! I'm a total Dork And I love love love your art!!! keep them coming I love seeing your next piece. I am still in awe of you belly paintings.

I think it's beautiful! The colors are so pretty together. I love the way the sky fades and all of the stars are so magical. I am a Potter fan as well ("Expelliarmus!"). Keep up the good work! Backs are so fun to paint-there is so much room!

I think it is absolutely amazing!! I can't really see anything to critique at all.. you are way to hard on your self!

I am in awe of your drawing skills, in everything you paint!! I really love your style with the fine lines and think it totally works for you. You could use thicker lines to vary your style but then you may loose your personal touch and look like any other painter.

If that was Snazaroo blue (the medium darker one) you did really well to blend it as well as you did! I can not even use that colour!