Art Final Project Help

[soft kite]

Over the next few weeks im basically putting all my time and effort into my final project. My class is observational drawing so i need to have as much irl stuff to look at as possible. So i have my sister as the model, and a statue of dante’s inferno of my great grandpa’s my dad inherited im using as references.

Im wondering if theres any areas that you think should be adjusted? This is me figuring out the drawing before i actually draw it because my professor wants me to do it way smaller and then trace it using a projector. If anyone would give me their two cents that would be great. I want to be able to trace it today so i can work on the actual drawing. Either this week or next week is the last one we will be given the projectors so i wanna do it asap

Btw the things written on the bottom i already know about

[ebon pawn]

Don’t be afraid to push hard on your darks!! It would be cool to see the absolutely darkest areas to be black

[ebon pawn]

But your shading is phenomenal and the drawing is awesome

[brazen helm]

^^ more contrast would help! I would say push your highlights too with an eraser especially since the armor and shield are very reflective

[uneven ferry]

Use Blending stump for the shield?

[soft kite]

Heres where im at rn. Need to do the skirt then im ready for the next stage. Aka make it bigger

[late osprey]

What type of pencil are you using? If you’re using h, I would suggest getting a b6 or higher graphite pencil. Also when using graphite, you want to overlay them lightly, not harsh, as it can ruin the paper and the smooth appeal. Also separate the darks from the lights first, and slowly work to an even tone. Think of the figure as 3d shape instead of 2d. Form is the most importantly when it comes to drawing. Here are some pics from one of my favorite book to reference off of.
Spoiler for artistic nudity.

Not my drawing but figure out where the lighting is, and separate them like this photo.

[soft kite]

Im using hb rn but only because im technically in the draft phase. This is just me doing a finished image before i do the actual final drawing. This is per direction of my professor. I have no say in the process for this assignment

Ive got a b6 in my backpack for my actual assignment

[late osprey]

My bad then, it’s best to listen to your professor then.

[crystal fog]

I think you shpuld push her facial expression a bit. Make her look more aggressive, more threatening. Push her eyebrows down and add wrinkles

Her hand is also a bit small but if you're shrinking the head it should be fine

This is a bit more nitpicky, but I would raise the left arm holding the spear a bit higher

Looks more ready for battle that way

I also made her angrier a bit in this edit lol

It doesn't look so good cause it was very fast but hopefully u get the picture

[glacial bear]

i think body flow is a bit miss? shiel also seems "flying?

[crystal fog]

Shield position looks weird on ur drawing because shields are held horizontally

[glacial bear]

any suggestion?

[crystal fog]

Wdym?

[crystal fog]

Also I forgot to add, your shield shape tapers off at the top a bit. It's a bit thicker on the bottom. Idk if that's intentional but

[soft kite]

Im definitely going to do some editing before i transfer the drawing. Shrink the head, move/warp the shield, and push one of the eyes down a little

[silent abyss]

the shield isnt facing completely flat on at us, but more so away at an angle, so if you drew the hand poking out, it would make it a lot clearer how shes holding the shield

and less "floaty" as some others said

imo

i think posting ur reference picture would be nice

but heres the gesture that i assumed from your drawing

she seems to be "preparing" to retaliate or defend herself from something distant or somewhat above

i think curving the body in is a good way to imply that

the other gesture loopv drew is giving more, triumphant/ she already won. depends on the vibes u like

since she's wearing a metal vest/armour its going to be a bit less obvious to the viewer what her chest pose may be, so its important to make the shoulders more dynamic, and different depths of pose, like arm not going left to right along with the viewer- that would be making the drawing more flat when its already a bit harder to show the flow of her bodys pose as she wears chest armour