Recently I made this peice for a contest but it didn't win and I ended up auctioning it

If I were too make something similiar again could I have some tips and if possible some critique for the peice above please

First, the big thing to me is the hooves. You have just three random bits of crystal blocking the hooves. To me that looks lazy, like you didnt want to fix the hooves or to blend them into the background.

Solution: would have been pretty easy if you didnt want to/couldnt fix the hooves. Just add more crystals! Do them in varying sizes and shades.

Secondly, there is a lot of light source between the cave opening and the crystals, but that doesnt seem to reflect on the horse? There should be some pretty intense light haloing (if this is a word lol). I would have liked to see some bright highlights in the tail, mane, and forelock from light sources and the crystals.

And lastly, the squiggles on the barrel/shoulders. I assume you did this as a kind of way to merge the Crystal's to the horses back. But it just looks kind of random to me. I think it would have looked more uniform if you had used some glitter/shimmer/make some blue hair or markings.

The crystals on the hooves was me trying to make It look like the horse was stuck in them or something like that lol

Next time I do something like this I will certainly try to work on the lighting! It's something I really struggle with so when people pikntit put it's really helpful to. Know when I'm doing it right and when I'm not

The squiggles coming from the crystals are supposed to be like cracks but it didn't turn out as well as I hoped lol, I certainly try and edit them to make them look more 'realistic' next time

Thank you for the help!