You mean, the very first design? It struck me as well... I have a hunch this new version is closer to what it was actually intended to be!

Ooooo I can't wait to see this ^^

I have to say, the improvement on the adult female is the best of this quartet. The feathers also look more plume-like and less like strings of nondescript fluff. This is particularly noticeable on the female where the ribbon-like curl of one of the feathers gives them that thing yet flexible appearance.

Unfortunately, although I like the new poses for the hatchlings, their necks look incredibly awkward. I like the greater feather detail included on all of the revamped Aurleons, but the necks looks almost too big for their bodies. Comparing a variety of long necked birds and their chicks, most of them have proportionately shorter necks, and although fluffy from down, its a consistent layer all over. Swans, geese, and peafowl's necks aren't as long as chicks. Cranes and herons do have really long necks even as chicks, but usually they don't have them extended which creates the illusion of a shorter neck. All of them have narrow necks compared to the rest of their body. Although I can see how this would be a stylistic choice given that large heads are cuter, but might look ridiculous on too skinny of a neck - thus needing to thicken the necks.

The plumage on all of these birds are just beautiful, though. And despite my criticisms of the hatchlings, I'd be hard pressed to draw anything better myself. Birds are not my forte.

On a side note, I can only imagine how many different files must be used to composite a fully coloured image. Looking at this unfinished just made me consider the process that would go into finishing it. Now I'm fretfully curious just how many image files are used to make just one of the many critters sitting in my stables.

Okay... This is going to be hard for me to keep calm while I type this, as the Aurleon is my favorite species. Immediately off the bat, my judgment is mostly on the female, so I will try not to over-dissect, but I make no promises.

Here we go...

For both, I feel like the eyes should be perhaps filled-in more. Bird eyes pretty much take up the full space in the eye socket, so not seeing much of the eyes makes it feel slightly lacking.

The male is not so bad, although I do feel he should have a more distinctive jaw below the eye instead of the head being so completely seamless with the neck. The transition I feel should get wider along that area like how the female's is drawn. Also I do feel I would love to see more of his tail than is shown in the preview.

Now, on to the female, and where to start... Overall, I feel that the female is just too skinny. There's hardly any body to her, especially around the stomach, and I think if this were fixed it would help with my next suggestion greatly. The neck on her is awkwardly shaped, and perhaps a bit too long. It almost looks like she has a snake head. The female's beak perhaps could also curve more like the male's as well. As it is, they look like they are not fully the same species. Could she also look happier? One of the things I love so much about the female Aurleon as it is now is that they look so graceful. As the preview looks, she looks sad and depressed. Perhaps even worried? She should be full of pride and grace! :D

I hope these suggestions are taken in to account. If they are, I'm sure I'll like the new redraw.

the hatchlings <3

First, let me say that I am largely amused by the new poses for the aurleons. I love the hovering adult female, and the baby male makes me think of a crowing rooster ^.^ However... the positioning of the adult male's raised foot... looks a little awkward. It seems like the toes should be curved a bit, not splayed flat like that (more curled being the more natural position for a bird's feet, just like our hands). I think if the toes didn't look so strained then it might look a little better.

Also, with regard to proportions... it's already been mentioned: they look a bit thin. Birds tend to have large rib cages, so the adult female particularly looks emaciated. The adult male is better, but still a little on the thin side. The wings, however, excite me a great deal~ I love that we can see both wings on all of them now! Really happy about that ^.^

Overall, a great start to the next revamp! Very excited to see how the aurleons turn out ^.^

Oooooh, I like these! Any chance of seeing any revamped mutations?

I have to agree with what AriDae said, especially about the female one. It just seems off/doesn't quite look right to me. I can't wait to see the final version ^_^

I'm just gonna say that these look a lot better than the current (which I find a little boring to be honest) version, regardless of what's said.

You aren't imagining things :)