Koi Pond WIP 2

Here's an updated photo of the Koi painting. I'd really like some critique on it, especially regarding the composition. Although at this stage, I'm open to just about any feedback.


There are a few things I see that need to be changed, but I'm really interested in what other people have to say. I'll probably add my thoughts in later, but I don't want to influence other opinions yet.

In case anyone is interested, here's the photo I'm using as my main reference right now. I shot it at the gristmill when there was still ice on the ground. It was not taken specifically for this project, but it's working pretty well as a rough reference.

Koi Pond WIP 1

I recently started this painting, so it's a very early work in progress (WIP). It supposed to be an overhead view of a koi pond. The canvas is 44" x 18".

I'm still trying to work out the composition. The right side especially isn't working for me. Looking at the spacing now, the yellow area is the same width as the light blue below it, and also the same width as the two green lilly pads below that. That whole area is going to get reworked next time I work on it.

I really want to give this painting a more complex (sophisticated?) composition than the last couple things I've done. No subject in the center of the canvas this time. I'm hoping to get the general composition tacked down later this week. We'll see. The dogess has class for the next couple of nights, so I won't get a chance to work on it until later this week.

Tiger

I said this would be a work-in-progress blog, and then haven't posted anything in ages. So, he's my current project.


He needs more work, especially in the highlights - the top of his muzzle, forehead, and cheek mostly. That dark spot right next to his nose has to go. I was going for sort of a complimentry colors thing with the orange highlights and blue shadows, but I'm note sure if it comes across enough. I might need to push the blue in the shadows a little more. Or maybe bring it up into the orange a bit in the stripes?

Critique is appreciated!

Drawing Process

I got a new camera, so I should be playing with that but my muse (who is an angry bluebird, by the way) decided that I must draw now. So I figure I'll go with it, but as a compromise I'm taking photos of the drawing as I go along. If nothing else, I think it will be cool to have a record of how this thing evolves. It's not a complicated drawing. I'm still trying to build up a pet portfolio, so that's what you get. I make no excuses for the quality of the photos. I'm just to lazy to obsess over color-correcting and adjusting the in-progress photos. The final one will look good. The rest, well at least you can see what I'm doing, right?


Here's the initial drawing, done in compressed charcoal on colored paper. I tend to use charcoal very much like finger paint in the beginning stages. Also, the chamois is an essential tool.



Throw in some darks. It's starting to get a little more form.



The whole thing doesn't always go well from start to finish. This an example of it starting to go bad. Really bad.



Now the drawing is starting to get better. It's getting a little too tight though.



I loosened up the face a bit and started to add some white for the highlights. It's too soon for the white. It's really not working. Her head is a little big for her body too.



That's all for now! I'll add more to this post as I go along.