A couple first attempts... critiques?

So, My Bestie was kind enough to donate her shoulder to me for the afternoon the other day so I could try my hand at Tribal designs, which I've NEVER done before. And in doing so, I got brave and decided to try a celtic knot. I'm not sure whether any of these attempts went well or not (lol, pun intended)... but I'd like some critiques, as I know they can be done better. Please and thank you!

Tribal Attempt #1


Tribal Attempt #2


Tibal Attempt #3


Celtic Knot Attempt

First Attempts?!?!? I don't think so! LOL

They look great! I can't imagine what they'll look like with some practice. Probably a "Tribal Designs book by Punky".

Oh, don't be fooled, I spent HOURS planning these babies out on Graphing paper... and I've always been good with lines and paint. It's the overall design and look I'm worried about.

Better than my 1st attempts... mine were not photo worthy. I think you have a great start there!

I like your knot... it's very good. But you know I love all your work, Punky.
I don't know much about tribal stuff, so I don't think I'm a good judge for that stuff.

I'd have to draw those out on paper first also...very good!

Nice! Great job!

Fantastic...

Thanks! I had the hardest time trying to figure out how the different lines would overlap. I had to keep looking at different examples and then I just frankensteined a whole bunch of them together. I think I need to work on making everything less lopsided. It's not 'bad' but I don't like it. They aren't anything like the other tribal stuff I've seen on here.

Tribal stuff is what I'm working on perfecting, too. I just can't seem to get it. But your lines and points are so sharp, Punky! Great job. Maybe eventually I'll be able to do that

Great job! I really like the first one, tribal yet feminine.

Those are awesome. Great job. I have such a hard time with tribal.

Woweee Punky your beginning of tribal work tells a story of awesomeness straight off the brush. You rock girl.

THERE ISN'T ENOUGH PAPER IN THE WORLD to have gotten my tribal work to look like that when I began!

Aww, thanks you all! I was glancing through some tribal tattoo designs and such one the net, and some tribal arm paintings on here and I didn't think mine looked THAT good. whenever I come up with a new design that's more than just cheek art I use graphing paper and draw it out. I'm realy good with pencils, even better than I am with brushes. I just find that sooooo much easier to get my ideas organized on paper which is easily erased than on skin. And, not to sound ingratreful, but are there any big tribal/celtic knot buffs on here that could tell me what they think? is there something I could do to improve these?

again thank you all for the compliments! they re-assure me that I'm no heading in the wrond direction with these!

Hi Punky,
Celtic knots just confuse me when I look too close, sort of like optical illusions
but most I've seen are a bit more symmetrical and even if they are different at the top and bottom have the same width. Maybe you'd be happier with it more square? It says 'anchor' to me, if it was a bit more square it might say 'shield'...

very nice work

there are books on celtic knots... my mother has one, you can find them with quilt sewing stuff if you wanted to REALLY get into it. We'll have to get them totally figured out in the next few years as my girls get further into Irish Dance (we were hoping to be able to make their first solo dresses ourselves to save money).

I did a celtic knot how to in the St Patrick's day challenge. I put dots to map out the corners and where the lines should cross first. Helps me with the spacing so when I do my lines, they don't bunch up (okay, I'm less likely to bunch them up).

Kudos on working out the design on your own.... super tough. I've only figured out that diamondy one. I'm no tribal expert, but my friend who is awesome at them tells me the key is to keep the pointed ends nice and sharp (I have a tough time with that one).

Oooh.... Jbax, I like that idea! I'm gonna have to try that out the next time I give it a go. Thanks!!

I think that your celtic knot is great. I agree with "squiggle" if you have sharp, clear lines that makes up 80% of the design. You are doing great. Keep going