I like your shapes and your figures, and i also like your idea.. and it's great for a first try with a mouse... i suggest however trying to work on lighting and shadows that would help to make this image seem more real. Good luck!

I agree with you, author, working with a mouse sometimes is so hard...
I wouldn't do better, it's nice for the first attemp!
I like the frog's expression, asking for a kiss...
Agree with ponti about lighting and shadows; using burn and dodge tools you can improve your work.

the rawness is quite intriguing.. the only thing I would try to fix are all the little white dots.. they are kind of distracting and take away from the initial primary color scheme..(they don't look to have purpose and give off the vibe of obvious mistakes... this is IMHO of course) over all GREAT START.. good luck and practice practice practice

Author it would be well worth your while to invest in a wacom if you are really wanting to improve you painting skills. big difference

Agree with Drivenslush about the white blank dots.....It seems as if in a traditional drawing a beginner has left some crayons here and there.....Apart from that its a good work as a first attempt.....Keep working and you will do wonders author....You have a good imagination.....Good luck...

After deliberation the admin decided it's allowed in this contest to use copyrighted characters, but remember it's an exception for this contest.

might i suggest....using a smudge tool to get some of your white spots covered. Multiple layers are your best friend in digital painting. i've been known to have 4 layers just for a face. Also, like ponti said, shadows and highlights. you can accomplish alot with burn and dodge. a mouse does make it more difficult, but up until christmas, ididn't have a drawing pad either. I'd say its worth your $70 to pick up a wacom basic pad considering your artistic skills i've seen in other contests.

nice work , I know its not easy to draw with mouse. gl author

You made a great start author

I can't do better than you with my damn mouse . As Glockman said, if you want to improve your drawing fast, a tablet is really helpful, and if you can't afford hundred bucks for the Wacom Intuous tablet, you can try the Bamboo tablet (around $70, I think).
EDIT: I didn't see the comment of jadedink, the same thing

very nice work!!

Wow!!!

Excellent work, well done

Very good work!

beautiful entry... gl

excellent

very nice work

lovely face expressions on the background fish. great balance of light and shade

well done

maybe you could add a very thin more water-like layer on top of it all, just to suggest better that the yellow fishies are also in water? otherwise, wonderful colours and composition so lovely, i hope you win

beautiful job

Another great entry...love it. Well done author.

Great image.

Congrats

Thanks all for the votes !!