A better character sketch

Alright guys, all your horrible criticism and cutting remarks( ) drove me to do a better, more proportionate version of my last sketch. Since the last one had too many flaws I discarded and started afresh. This time I started out my drawing the old fashioned way, drawing a correctly proportioned skeleton to build my character upon. I also changed the style a bit going for a more dramatic anime look.To my surprise, it actually looks alright, at least compared to the one I did XD!
So, anyway, have at it!

Spoiler

The background is mountains by Rick Smitt, I pulled it off of Flikr's creative commons and slightly manipulated it in Photoshop. The character's in this sketch are Amber the warrior and Aoife her lovely little pet gryphon

This is really cool. I didn't see the original sketch, so I don't know whether it was bad or not, but I definitely think this one is good. On the other hand, without using color, people might not be able to see stuff about your character (hair color, eye color, etc), other than whether it's black or white. But I like what you did with the background and everything, and I thought the shadows and stuff were pretty lifelike. Keep up the good work.

Thanks XD, my original was actually called "a quick character sketch" and was in color, but was much more cartoon like. I was going for a more dramatic look this time around, though I might do a watercolor version of this if I ever get the time

Oh my goodness this is so beautiful! I love how it is all in black and white but contrast is provided with the stroke texture in the background and the girl in front looking normal. Her expression is priceless! My characters always look stiff ath first with a dull expression on their faces. So you're alreadt doing better than me! What's the background on her anyhow? Sorry if there was a description I didn't read...
Anyway this was cool.
Klotrox

haha, okay, firstly, I'd like to make a comment of: Don't get rid of your originals! They're a blast to look back on and see how far you've come! =) I haven't thrown away any of my sketches for the past 5 years. Several sketchbooks full of crap XD I love going back and reviewing them =) They're also great inspiration!

okay, now, for the sake of growing, I will help you out with this piece as well! I hope you didn't find my last review too harsh ;p

Now, I looove the shading you did. You've definitely got a good idea as to where there is and isn't light and you've selected a nice style on how to achieve the shadow. It's actually kind of hard to make a pencil lined shadow work. Or, at least, it is for me. I can only do blending shadows or else it looks like a five year old scribbled on my notepad XD And you've also made her look more like a girl =) Though, I do have to add that she doesn't look to be around the age of 12. I'd place her at 15 or 16. The reason why that is, is because she starts out wide at the top. A bit too wide like she has breasts. Of course, some girls do start getting them early, I wouldn't normally give a girl that age that much of a prominent bust. Unless you switched the age of her =o In that case it's fine. If you'd like, I can always draw you different aged girls to help give you a better idea as to how I would go about it, but that's always hard because I take on a different style than you do and my drawings aren't completely flawless either. The best way do work out these kinks is to observe. i do a lot of people watching and have been known to make friends and family pose for me. Sometimes even in swimsuits so I can the actual curves of their body. Just pay attention to wrinkles and fold in fabric as they move with the person that's wearing them. It really helps a lot.

I'm not sure how serious you are with your art or anything, but if you're looking to improve a lot, or just having fun by drawing out your characters you can definitely ask me for advise on anything =) You've already improved greatly between the two pictures so I'm excited to any more that you may produce!

Thanks for all the replies guys

@ little.angelfire - XD I know what you mean about not throwing away old work. I didn't actually throw away the other drawing, I simply meant that I scraped the project itself and started fresh. I also love looking through old sketchbooks. Just the other day I drug up some old art from like 5 th grade that I couldn't help smiling at XD ...come to think of it I've been drawing my whole life...since like toddler stage XD All my old baby books have some kind of doodling in them...usually very unrecognizable doodling XD

XD and no, your last comment wasn't too harsh, it was actually what finally got me off my butt and drawing something worth looking at XD You see, I love drawing but I'm a lazy artist. Sometimes I get to a point where I get complacent with my work and stop pushing my self, your comment kinda gave me a little push I've been needing XD
Oh and for this piece I did indeed change the age of Amber. She was about 12 in the last one, but somehow she came out older this time and I stuck with it.(Sometimes my art develops a life of its own XD )

O.o Your very lucky to have family that will pose for you, my own cat won't pose for me XD I end up having to use myself as a model for certain things. That kinda shows in this Piece, my brother looked at it was like,"Wow...it looks like an anime version of you XD"

Anyway, I'm gonna stop here before I end up writing a mile long reply XD Thanks for all the tips and comments guys

-Justlittleoleme