January WIP heart tracks
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I scrapped my earlier plans for a dragon WIP and now am pretty far into a new one. I am having trouble deciding on compositional elements and a crop.
I know the sign kind of leads out of the picture a bit but I was thinking the girl and maybe the flowers and tree base might lead the eye back in, and maybe the bluebird up in the tree?
I wasn't sure if the branches help lead the eye back in either and add some depth? there's a version here with and without the extra branches. I think maybe the lower right one is too pointy on the ends so I might soften it so it's less harsh looking if I keep it.
Also I mistakenly cropped it at one point to where you don't see the little girl but I kinda like it! I was wondering what others thought. I could totally paint her out or leave a little bit of her to suggest the object of Will's affection but it might work without that as well.
More texture and more "kid-like" in nature than a lot of my other stuff so it's a bit of an expiriment.
Open to honest critiques!! Please I need some feedback lol :face_with_stuck-out_tongue_winking_eye:
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I like the effect of the branches in the first one. The one with the girl cropped out isn’t as appealing to me, maybe because I like the point of view of 1 & 2 more, where the characters are unaware they are being observed.
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@Coley I love this.! I think you are doing everything right in the picture. I love the sense of space the big round tree and the bird's eye view gives. I love the style and I LOVE the way the branches create even more of a sense of space. you feel like you are in the trees watching their little story unfold. That is my two cents. And I don't think the sign is leading you out of the picture but into it.
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So cute! I like the narrative and how her tracks leave hearts. I am curious about the flowers growing in the snow...I've never seen that where I live. I mean I'm sure they grow somewhere but I've never seen it hence the curiosity!
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Hello Coley,
I really like they way how you handled the textures in the tree, I also like the angle that you chose and the overall mood of the piece. I imagine that the tree would be a really good location for the text.
I like the first one the most. The branches cover some holes in the piece and they add some depth. However, I am not sure who is your primary focal point. Is it the boy? the girl? the love sign? it seems like they are competing.
Overall, this is a lovely piece!Julia
@julialiberali_art.
julialiberali.com -
At first glance, I think I like no branches. I think you've got a really strong focal point so the branches seem to detract from it is my initial gut feeling.
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@Coley wow I’m loving this Coley. I love the effect of the big Base of the tree trunk and the way it contrasts with the characters. I love the angle of the viewpoint and the Perspective you've got there too.
I really like your characters too.I’m not quite sure which one I prefer, I like the effect of feeling that the viewer is up in the branches, but wonder if they need playing around with for composition.
On Number2, I like the cleaner composition on this compared to the first
Number 3. I can’t help feeling it’s too cropped but that’s just my personal feeling -
@KaraDaniel I was just using artistic licence and also thinking maybe it was spring with a snowfall. But you've got me thinking. I may add a few leaf buds on the tree branches, kind of symbolizes new beginnings and new love.
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@Julia-Liberali great idea for a potential place on the tree for text. Thank you!
Given the prompt, maybe Will is my focal point so I understand what you mean about it being a bit confusing about where the focal point is. I will definitely have to think on this a lot more! I added the flower to his hand and kept it brighter than anything else in the illustration but maybe it's not enough. There's a lot of directional lines that don't lead to him. Anyhow, food for thought, I really appreciate your thoughts! -
Thanks so much for the feedback @BichonBistro @chrisaakins @jdubz @peteolczyk . It's really great to hear what others think, much appreciated because I was having trouble getting away from it as we all do once we're a bit invested in our own stuff.
Thanks again and happy weekend
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@Coley I think if you placed the girl on the right third you would fix your composition. It would provide a solid focal point with her red dress. It would also make more sense. Right now it appears they are together and she's just exploring. If she was moved over it would heighten the sense that he is discovering her tracks and that they lead to her and to love.
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@chrisaakins thanks Chris. I agree, I just wondered about her"leaving" the illustration. I know they typically say that's a no no. It might work tho if I have her head kind of turned back a little just glimpsing back tho. Hmmmm.
Thanks for that! P.s. I totally loved your December contest entry with Hansel and Gretel! -
@Coley Aww thanks! Maybe if it was obvious she is circling the tree or looking up at the birds. I think the large roundness of the tree works in your favor here because the eyes circle around its girth hoping to get her to the man.
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if anyone is hanging around the forum and sees this, I did a little bit of work today. I moved the girl along and changed her gaze so she's looking kind of down (thought maybe then she's not looking out of the painting), but moving her I think made things a bit more balanced.
I might toy with making the tracks in the snow just regular tracks? I don't know if they need to be heart shaped seeing as the sign makes it quite clear it is the track of l.o.v.e lol
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@Coley said in January WIP heart tracks:
if anyone is hanging around the forum and sees this, I did a little bit of work today. I moved the girl along and changed her gaze so she's looking kind of down (thought maybe then she's not looking out of the painting), but moving her I think made things a bit more balanced.
I might toy with making the tracks in the snow just regular tracks? I don't know if they need to be heart shaped seeing as the sign makes it quite clear it is the track of l.o.v.e lol
It does have a more balanced feel
I think the heart tracks suit the text better than regular footprints. Maybe it's the romantic in me, but I see an inverted heart shape made by the lower branch, base of tree, girl's front and icicle ️
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@BichonBistro that's pretty cool!!!
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@Coley I'd say you put your heart into this one
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So cute! I like the heart shaped footprints. perfect for Valentine's day right around the corner
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Your illustration is so lovely and cute, I love it
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@BichonBistro lol!
