what can i do to improve this

[Queenoftheunifrogs]

ok guys, just submitted my first piece as im not getting much feedback on it in the wip forum. i know theres a couple of things that need touching up such as the plates on his arms but what else can i do to improve this, the guys at the games workshop store seemed to think it was higher then tabletop so im a little dissapointed with the score ive got so far. how can i improve? im going for the more realistic approach or trying to.
im entering it into a competition in just over a week\'s time so any crits/tips are appreciated.

http://www.coolminiornot.com/186736

 

[generulpoleaxe]

have a good look at this one http://www.coolminiornot.com/120571

study how the shadows and light areas are different from your as well as the tones within the skin.

also, your base is too big, if it ended at the larger rock with just a little of the smaller rock showing it would be a perfect size for the model.

i\'m realy busy at the moment (will be for the next weekand a half) so i don\'t have enough time to go realy indepth with everything (sorry)

p.m. me with any questions and i\'ll help in any way i can

 

[Queenoftheunifrogs]

thanks for your reply. the reason the base is as big as it is is because it is made for more of a diorama piece then anything else, a giant on his way home from a raid.

i know the skin tone is different for that giant however i was aiming for a more sunburned type of effect with mine. perhaps i should start again with it although i dont know if i will have time to do the whole skin tone again in time for next sunday. it does look better in real life then it does in the photo, i was having issues getting the colour balance right.

 

[Highbulp Billy]

My first thoughts are that the base would look good with a few archers shooting at the giant as if trying to save their friend from being taken away for dinner. The amount of space on there really does need something added to it to complete it as a diorama. I like the skintone, it looks suitably grubby - especially on the feet - but without a close up it\'s difficult to see how smooth it is.

 

[Thunderhawker]

There is a whole lot of negative space. While in and of itself this may not be a bad thing, with minis its a good idea to keep things interesting. The grass and flowers are very good, but he is above them on the rock, basically negating their presence.
If you want to convey him heading home, you can put that negative space behind him as ground he has already travelled. Maybe have some smashed trees or a busted house or shack in his wake.
As far as the paint job goes, more extremes in the contrast would bump this up rather nicely.

 

[Queenoftheunifrogs]

thanks for your advice guys, after some consideration ive decided to try and add some cowering people trying to hide under the rocks, ive made some wire armatures for them but ive never tried to sculpt anything at this scale before so hopefully i wont screw it up lol, ive only got a week. ive also discovered the paint on his chest has got damaged to im going to try and do a bit of a repaint over the next few nights or on wednesday. ill update with pics later