Stag Beetle

First off. I probably should not give you a critique, since I am your Mom! But, you did ask me too, but be warned-I am not going to go easy on you kid!

Tough up kid because I am going to do the nasty negatives first!
(and I do have the reference!)
1. You need to round off the bottom of the beetles abdomen, and reshape the part nearest the thorax a little.
2. There are a couple of places on the upper leg that look a little thick, also a tiny bit of detail around the leg joints would look good.
3. Darken the shading along the thorax, (the right side of the drawing, sharpen that edge a tiny bit.
4. Oops, erase those ghost legs next time.
5. Add a little bit of shading under your beetle.

Now for the good stuff.
1. I can see some differences in the shape of the mandibles-but I like the changes you made! Who says that when you use a ref. that you have to copy it line for line.
2. About the shading, good eye! I really like it that your remembered to leave those great reflections in and put those important darks in the right places too. Something that I rarely see in your drawings. (give me some lessons please!)
3. The whole insect is great, but it head, and those mandibles are incredible!

Now someone is going to have to critique my critique! I don't like to do these very much. My hope was that I was fair, and not to harsh, nor overly flattering-I am your mom after all!