NDA Art Critique Message Boards

Hi everyone! This is my first photoshop drawing, and I'm hoping I can get some c&c on it. I know the background is quite bare, and I'd welcome ideas on what to put in it. Once I decide what to do with the background, I'll try to make the cat seem more like it's standing on the ground, not sort of floating in front of it
I'm trying for a water-associated cat in the desert, maybe at an oasis or something?
Anyway, any tips would be greatly appreciated!

would you like critiques on just the background or on the cat as well?

Both would be great - critiques on the cat and suggestions for the background. Specifics would be great too; I know the ears could use more detail, but I'm not sure how to make them look more 'ear-like.'
Thanks

Well. i like the Oasis idea, so go with that, but I think it would be best than to just make the entire background oasis and only show sand at the edges or such to show its in a desert. As for the cat,

http://akeli.deviantart.com/art/Animal-Anatomy-Cats-Part-1-143442279

this is a link for a cat tutorial that I found useful. You can also look at


http://neondragonart.com/mb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2825

which has links for cats.

Thanks for the tips! I guess I should have explained that I do actually want a dog-type body on him (based on my bullmastiff) so that's why he has the wide, forward chest etc. I went with the oasis idea, although now I'm not sure making him that blue was such a great idea Anyway, unless anyone has some great suggestions, I think I'm just going to call it done (or a lost cause, lol) and move on to bigger and better things. I'm pretty happy with what I've learned from making this, and that's really why I did it, so I consider it a success.

I think that the shadows can be darker and that you can have more contrast with the colors. I like the water and the reflections you have coming off of it. Also, you shaded the entire cat/dog but forgot to do the tail. As for him being too blue, maybe you add a small layer of brown to his coat or to his shadow to gie the appearance of sand being coated to him or something like that. idk, do whatever you think will look best.

Otherwise good job.


Edit: I also think that you should try to incorporate the colors used in his tail into the drawing somehow. Just a suggestion.

dang thats a good palm tree ^_^ anyways - I would advise that you find a anatomy picture of a dog - or just have a good close look at your bull mastiff, and see where the muscles are, then texture it light and dark where the muscles are etc -makes it look a lot more 3d =)