The painting is lovely, but the characters are stiff.

I agree with u.Bugged =(
But maybe it was a special idea?O_o

the characters are a little stiff, but they work well with the overal tone and theme of the painting.

God! i love the colours in this...The background and sky really set the mood.

Still, awesome work here ^_^

Yeah, dynamic poses aren't exactly my strength, but I'm learning... Thanks for the feedback!

I pretty much agree with what the others have said, other than that the atmosphere is really well done. Your rendering skills, especially in the background is top notch quality.

Thanks! I only recently switched to Painter IX, and I'm still learning how to use it effectively.

About the critique, what exactly appears "stiff" to you? ... Umm... XD

No, seriously - Is it the poses? Or rather, the way I rendered the muscles and such?

That's a toughy, otherwise I wouldn't be doing the same thing, heh heh. Your poses and rendering are fine. I think it is more about the actual drawing.
What I've noticed with the more successful action images out there is that they draw their figures based on curves. Ever notice that most(successful)gesture drawings are full of curved lines? Your's appear more linear. In realism the figure should not be drawn with straight lines....or so I've been told...
Arrgh, it is difficult for me to explain properly without being able to demonstrate. But...yea, I hope that helps...a little.

Yeah, I think I understand what you mean. I try to work like that, I just don't have enough experience with dynamic poses, and sketching in general. Which is why I'm trying to catch up on that, lately. Thanks for the input! :3

If there's a sexier way of being surprise-attacked, I'd sure like to see it! (Seriously, I would.)

Really, RLY cool... the darkness creates a great atmosphere, giving us the sense that this guy all alone, with no one to save him from the wrath of the crazy devil-girl.

God, what I'd give to trade places with him and become that "helpless". :P

Thanks! :P Walter is quite capable of protecting himself - The question is if he even wants to be "saved", though. I think he hasn't quite made up his mind about the situation. :P

Oooh, shes a crafty bugger! XD

I really love the atmosfere done on your pics, they get too naturally.
But be sure to practice more curve postures, to gain more dynamism on your pictures.

Yeah, dynamic poses aren't exactly one of my strengths. I need more sketching practice. Thanks for the feedback!

Good lord this is freaking amazing! No worries about the artistic liberties she looks just like herself.
I'm not seeing the stiffness that people are talking about I am blinded by the insane level of detail in this pic.

I am never going to be able to match this with my half.
Also I am sorry it is taking so long, I just got back from a pretty long break.

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy it! And don't worry about your half of the trade. Get to it whenever you have the inspiration and time for it. Just a nice pencil sketch would be fine with me - Those seem to be one of your strengths, anyway. Just send me another mail, if you have any more questions.

Well if I do a pencil work its going to have to be hardcore, but it will never be as hardcore as this o__o;;

I found an older sketch of a design for your manticore critter, I'll send it over.