Need critique for headshot drawing (and maybe more later)

[moooncow]

I decided to start drawing a new species, and the flying fox caught my eye, and decided to draw an anthro, but only drew the head lol, so i was wondering if you guys could give me some critique, oh and sorry if I'm in the wrong section, I know some forums have a critique section, but I couldn't find one.

[Ares the Ram]

youre in the right section.

well the drawing is good, its just got some color bleeding on the edges where its colored outside the lines. Aside from that it looks pretty good to me

[moooncow]

Yeah, I noticed that now, I need to start using a coloured backround when colouring, and removing excess to stop that from happening again.

[Puncia]

My critique entirely depends on if you want to draw that anime style that is overused and not at all personal, or if you want to advance in a more natural and realistic/creative and personal direction. The latter being the one I personally suggest because once you're in the anime style it's hard to get out of it and many artists have problems with this. Professional ones.

So which is it? 

[moooncow]

I did this in that style, mainly to see how it looks, and because the more natural style didnt work out this time, so if youve got any tips for the more natural/personla way, I'll be all too happy to hear it

[Puncia]

Awesome sauce.

Starting with the human form...
From what I see, the eyes seem a little flat and painted on, as well as a tiny bit out of place.
http://image.misterart.com/grouppix/528x352/3000/g3094.jpg
If you look here, you can see that the eye won't reach all the way to the edge, unless the head is in a total profile view. I think you should start there by defining brow muscle, eyelid tissue and cheekbone. Note how the eyelids in this picture are thick and have a 3D structure so they don't look like thin plastic stretched over the eye.

http://www.starwars.com/img/kids/do/draw/f20090622/maraeyetutorial.jpg
Will show how you can easily draw simple yet realistic eyes, giving the eye shape and form, eyelid folds and anatomy. But notice how this isn't as realistic as the first image.

http://psd.tutsplus.com/tutorials/drawing/photoshop-portrait/
Will provide a great and easy way to understand how to shadow an eye (and face) and understand how it works.

http://s1.hubimg.com/u/1005064_f520.jpg
And do remember that changing the angle also changes the shape.


And onto the anthro part...
The ears aren't as full and 3D shaped as they could be with a few simple tricks. The muzzle could also need a little help.
http://d.facdn.net/art/dingbat/1136265626.dingbat.vday2005.jpg <- the fox muzzle here should be easy to draw inspiration from...
http://d.facdn.net/art/dingbat/1244524324.dingbat_neryssa.jpg
http://d.facdn.net/art/dingbat/1254468568.dingbat_dingbatsunrise.jpg
Maybe looking at these images will help you understand how to easily draw a muzzle roughly the shape you want?

http://d.facdn.net/art/culpeofox/1284410951.culpeofox_kalong_is_watching_by_culpeo_fox-d2xjmy4.jpg
Fruit bat (adorable creatures) noses aren't too hard to draw either. They're round, the nostrils are angled upwards and they have a line coming down from the top centre.
http://jacksreviews.net/images/fruitbat.jpg
Eyes are (from nature's side) single coloured with a round pupil.

At least... that's what I think might help you some. I always use Google and FA and other sites for inspiration and help when I'm not sure how to draw something. These are just ideas. I'd love to see you have another go.

[moooncow]

Wow, thanks so much, your opinions have been really useful! 

[Puncia]

Glad I can help out. Practice is the key, as always, when it comes to such. Not that I've had a lot of that, but it's always easier to help out others than oneself I feel.