Since you specifically asked me for a critique, I will try to be as thorough as possible and as critical as possible.

I'll start with color choice because I think that is an element that could use the most work. Right now most of your forms are coming off flat because you aren't using too much temperature variation in your color selection. This is something I talk about a lot so to people who know me this is probably a broken record. It would be nice to see browns start a little red/purple and go to a bit of an orange/yellow or see the yellows start on the orange side and slide over to a really light, pure yellow. The temperature change turns the form more.

Now, when you do something like that you have to watch your saturation and values. That brings me to the next main point. I think you need to work out what your focal point is and deal with the rest of the image accordingly. Right now everything has the same amount of contrast which is making the eye swim around the image a lot. I know you didn't draw it, so there is a little bit of a battle with that, but you still have room to pull the viewers gaze around to look at what you want them to. Adjusting values, saturation, contrast, etc. you can bring the right attention to the right areas.

Always maintain the direction of your light source. Decide early on where it is and continually reinforce it. I can't tell in this image exactly where the light is coming from.

I feel that the soft brush should only be used in rare occasions. It seems you have used it on the entire image and that can create a very wishy-washy look. The harsh lines appear even harsher and the colors seem to swim around in the line work. Nothing clearly defines shape and it really limits the the way you convey form.

Those are the over all things. Now just a couple of specific points about this image.

I wouldn't leave the cards stark white. I would still give them definition and lighting. White, like it is here, can say "I'm unfinished" to the viewer. Also, watch your details... Gambit's buckle, Gambits coat between his legs, Mr. Sinister's ribbons behind Sabertooth's arm... All of those elements make the image look rushed. Lastly, since these are licensed characters, make sure to hit the correct colors (both color matching and color scheme) all the time. That's really important for when you are doing work for companies like Marvel.

It was bold of you to try and tackle a complicated piece like this. I think doing things like focusing your palette, clarifying your light source, creating focus, and using a hard brush to better define forms will take you a lot way.

Vision: It presents a vision that is neither unique nor incredibly derivative.

Originality: Low because you colored all of the elements their usual color. Nothing is really outside of the box here. Opportunities like interesting lighting schemes were missed.

Technique: You do a lot of competent things here and it's not super amateur. However, there are a lot of steps to be made to improve what you have so far.

Impact: Nothing "wowing" or emotional with this piece. It is pretty straight forward.

I hope that wasn't too harsh. I tried to be concise and just get down to the nitty gritty. I think have a lot of promise and you are on the right path. Asking people for critiques and learning from them is an awesome way to be. Keep it up!

M!

i'm glad to see you tackling some more detailed art, although i think you're possibly running into some big problems because your brushing is WAY too soft here. as an exercise i want to see you try and not use the soft edged brush not once. it's causing you way more problems that it solves, there's no impact or focus, but part of that is due to your color value problems, they are very similar.

well as i'm sure you know gambit's power colors is more sort of a magenta color, and i think as a good point of focus those cards should be knocked out and more monochrome, right now they steal way too much focus.

[link]

you can see there i've monochromed the cards a bit, letting some of your color show through but now they are not our main point of focus, i've also made some of the colors a bit more fitting with the magenta. i also adjusted the values a bit so gambit pops more.

a few of your colors lean very heavily towards yellow, and i think in most cases you dont want to use that type of color when the setting is supposed to be cool/dark, same as with your last cover i critiqued.

the main reason for a low impact rating though is the lack of focus and the too soft and mushy/muddy brushwork.