affinity designer First time sharing work

[cfc36]

Hi!

I am pretty new at all this, and still getting the hang of how to use Affinity designer. This is my first attempt a reasonably realistic, complete picture, and it seems a shame to spend a lot of time on it and not show anyone!

 

[NoLongerHere]

That looks good. If I was being picky, which isn't at all like me, then perhaps tone down or something the wet bits where the bird's standing? They don't look quite right to me and perhaps making them a bit more transparent would do it?

[cfc36]

Thanks, that's really helpful! The wet sand was definitely the bit I struggled with most, and I'm very grateful for any tips. Do you think this is better?

[NoLongerHere]

I think it is. If you wanted to you can probably improve it further by looking at the reference and seeing where there are highlights and shadows in the wet parts. As it is all the wet bits are  fairly uniform which it probably isn't really. But that's me being picky again.

[Wosven]

And I would be  picky too… perhaps they should be stronger near the girl and like you did in the second one at the front because usually eyes can see through a near reflect?

[John Rostron]

Still being picky. How do you manage to get an inclined horizon in what seems to be artwork rather than a photo?

John

[VectorWhiz]

Very good first work! Palette and composition are excellent. Perhaps use the fx Gaussian blur effect to enhance realism?