Need criticism

[steel pendant]

I’m trying to fix this WIP. First picture is the newest version. Is it better?
Also should I nuke the mushrooms?

The robes are meant to be unrendered! I want this piece to have a kind of unfinished look.
They should look like a blank piece of canvas. Here’s a reference/example of what I want them to look like

So please don’t suggest me shading them. However I would love some advice on how to communicate the vibe I’m going for better

Also I’m questioning whenever I should do a background here instead of keeping it as just a solid color
Maybe a forest?

[tardy mural]

Wow so cool! It does look better since the face is more rendered, I suppose that’s the focus? I think that the mushrooms makes the illusion more prominent but also kinda clings to the face, as if it’s not supposed to be there. I do think that a dark forest background would look great!

[steel pendant]

Thank you! Yeah, the face is the focus here.
About the mushrooms. Yeah, the placement seems a bit off but I don’t know where else to place them. Maybe on the staff?

I’ll update again once I’ve done the bg

[steel pendant]

Update with a sketch of a background

The staff is getting mixed up with it but overall I would say that it really improves the piece

[steel pendant]

Another update

I hate painting leaves😔

[steel pendant]

Another update
Hopefully I’m done

[tardy mural]

Looking good

[steel pendant]

Ty! Do you think it’s an improvement from the og?

[tardy mural]

Totally! I think you should darken the tree trunks behind the staff though, otherwise I’d say it’s done

Oh and the mushrooms on the staff, that would add more variety

[steel pendant]

That would be pretty cool but I feel like it’s hard to make them feel separate from the background

Increased the contrast a little around the staff to make it read better and I think I’m done!