Hmmm, the things I scribble while bored on the phone at work are nothing like this...
I'm always particularly drawn to a good wing rendering. Have you looked at the real wings of a big bird up close before? They're magnificent. I've got an African Gray around that likes to mimic body movements - if it's feeling friendly. If I stretch out my arms over my head, it'll show off its impressive wings in return, stretching them out wide, one side at a time. Seeing the mechanics and details of these instruments of flight up close has made a lasting impression on me. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out this example (scroll down through the photos when you get there):
Colorado Red-Tailed Hawk
Most of the drawings I come upon that include winged humans lack the impressive quality real wings of flight have. Mainly, it has to do with the fact that they aren't believable: (Setting aside the fact that humans/humanoids don't have wings) they are usually much too small and frail looking (especially on the fairies) and are almost always barely attached to the back - so that even if they do look big and strong enough to take flight, they would break off under the pressure of trying to lift a body up with them. Marcel's drawing shows wings firmly attached, and each is about as long as the body - er, skeleton - is tall. Admittedly, they are in tatters, putting into question their actual ability to lift off....but hey, it IS a skeleton, it's supposed to be falling apart and is already animated by some kind of magic in itself. You may say this is what gives all the fairies and other puny-winged creatures the ability to fly as well, and I can't argue with that logic. But if you're going to add wings, don't just sprinkle them on. They're WINGS - they give the ability to FLY! They should look impressive (not just cute) - I mean, unless you were going for the impotent look.
