I do think the aukira needs a revamp. The shading and colours of the art itself are very dull. Sure thing, it can be a dull creature, but it needs a bit more in it's shading and highlights to bring it out. Also, the lines are not of such a high quality, you can see that on the highlights on the shading of the tail, the lines aren't smooth. There's also a little smidge of black just outside the tip of the beak. The lightsource is also inconsistant (the smaller tail feathers have a different lightsource from the rest of the body. This is actually a pretty poor quality artpiece.
Another thing which irks me is the fur on the aukira just seems randomly flicked out.
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Another problem is that it's not in Res's current style. First of all, there isn't any proximity between the lineart and the shading. Look very carefullly at the roditore's art:
You can see there's a little space between the lineart anf the shading yes?
Another thing which is 'out of style' is that it has a gradient on it's basecoat! This is actually the most annoying bit in my opinion, I just hate seeing gradients used in basecoats (especially when they're used for markings).
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It needs it's design modified. Before you say 'NO IT'S BEAUTIFUL AS IT IS', please read my reasoning.
There's a lack of personality coming from this creature and I think it's design is not cliche, but a tad boring. I mean it's not like it's going to change into a crocodile-phoenix or something, but y'know, just give it tiny things that will make have more personality.
See look, modifications in design don't always make things look completely different:
See?
http://i295.photobucket.com/albums/mm140/Silmarril/makika.jpg
(the only image I could find was a banner with it's head missing, sorry xD)
http://images.rescreatu.com/pets/8/adult.gif
Not too different eh? But admit it, it does have a different personality now doesn't it?
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Also, the aukira's lineart is wobbly and blurry, and the image was saved in an unflattering quality. I think the colours need rethinking as well. Before saing 'NO IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL!' you guys really need to look at the quality of the art and compare it to a recently made piece xD
I'm done :)
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PS. Do verams need a revamp? Yes, not long before aukiras; but they do still need a revamp. They're really dull and could be brighter, also it would be an awesome chance to put a bit more detail in the shading (yes, I believe it lacks detail)... and the design could be modified. The horns are also a tiny bit wonky. xD
PPS. Kiokas need revamps too (ADMIT IT, YOU WANT A REVAMP >O)