I'm really looking forward to see how this turns out, like you I think I would have been reluctant to darken as it seems counter intuitive. If in doubt - Trust Mike

Excellent! Really like this.

I'm really looking forward to seeing this develop, The composition is great, I agree that we don't need to see a fish - as clearly that's what has caught Bob's attention out of frame

Hi Jay, I suffer from the same thing at times. I think it's having the confidence to allow yourself to be a little random with your pencil strokes and to allow your mind to fill in the gaps.

Having said that - when I've seen some hyper-realist works - I feel they must have stayed completely true to ...

I think this is looking great, I'm looking forward to seeing it develop

Thanks, Mike and Laurene, great advice!

Thanks for the comments and kind words on this.

Mike to have even a part of one of my drawings be called superb by you makes me happy. I take your point on the mouth area - the reference photo wasn't the clearest but I will do more research and look to improve further. I've added a sky reflection ...

I think this looks lovely, you could go further with the deepness of shadows if you chose to but having said that I'm not sure I'd have thought that had I only seen your revised version. Definitely a drawing to be proud of. Coincedently an owl will be my next drawing.

Thank you so much for ...

Hi Linda, I love your Steampunk inspired drawings, I bet it's quite liberating not having to rely on strict reference. I think I'd feel a little lost if I relied too much on my imagination

I think this looks lovely, you could go further with the deepness of shadows if you chose to but having said that I'm not sure I'd have thought that had I only seen your revised version. Definitely a drawing to be proud of. Coincedently an owl will be my next drawing.