Hi @Dulcie

This is a super cute scene!
Here are some suggestions that I hope you find helpful.

Stay awesome.

Kendra

Squintable Size with Redlines and Value:

Redlines with Notes:

Redlines with some added Value:

This piece is for a tribute gallery show.

I wanted to show the fox family in their cozy home with the bad farmers outside discussing their doom. I started the painting on Arches 190lb watercolor paper that really struggled with being painted on. It warped a lot and couldn't handle being reworked or layered at all. I also was having trouble with the tree the and the sky. Things weren't going well.

I decided to restart . Changed the tree design, lost the bad guys and went back to my regular Strathmore 190lb cold pressed paper. Tho its always sad to scrap and restart, (which I have to do almost every time I paint) I'm much happier with the result.

I'd be interested to hear how I might have tweaked version 2 as well.
It's hard to know when your deep in things. Thanks!

how about now? @Lee-White

Thank you everyone! All very valid and helpful points! Since the show is tomorrow and the prints are done no changes can be made. Each piece is a lesson learned.

Once again, REALLY appreciate the feedback and will post WIPs sooner to in order to incorporate notes before the paint hits the paper.

@carlossketches yay!

@Carey-Bowden I bought this printer not long ago on the recommendation from a friend who also does his own prints. I use Epson's Hot Press archival paper for prints and cut down Strathmore 190lb watercolor paper for the originals (OGs). http://www.amazon.com/Epson-Stylus-Inkjet-Printer-CA61201-VM/dp/B002PLQ7LI It was $1100 when I got it. Which turns out to be around .80c a print if I'm doing 5x5s, and $1 for 8x10s. (both are printed on 8.5x11 then cut down)

In terms of details on the OG's I think the crow quill pen and ink really brings them out. I do a lot of little splatters that show up as small dots of color all over the page and that seems to give the piece an organic feel with lots of little details. Give it a try. It's fun.

I tend to work on 5x5s alot but I've been expanding into larger pieces like 8x10s and 11x17 or 11x14.
Hope that helps!

Here's an update.

Trying to make the scene warm like autumn.
I often struggle with how dark and light to make the values.
Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

Kendra

No Problem, @Dulcie! I'm a visual learner, which I think most of us here are - so draw-overs and redlines really make a difference.
Also - I love this scene - it's crazy cute! Can't wait to see the next update!

@Dulcie said:

@Kendra-Minadeo Thanks very much for taking the time to do a draw-over, much appreciated! I’m going to have a good think about what you suggested. I will definitely do my best to use more contrast to emphasise the dragon, and I’m going to twiddle with where the edges of the composition lie too. I like the way you’ve added stronger shadows in the values. I’m going to try and incorporate that. Thank you!

@Bobby-Aquitania Hey Bobby!

Thanks for taking the time to rework this and give feedback - really appreciate it! Happy Holidays!

I'll post updates as I have them.

Best,
Kenda

@Andy-Meeker Hi Andy, welcome!

Reads well, I would go with it.

See notes:

@Bobby-Aquitania Hey Bobby!

Thanks for taking the time to rework this and give feedback - really appreciate it! Happy Holidays!

I'll post updates as I have them.

Best,
Kenda

All of the classes have a ton of value. I'm a subscriber and I'm working thru the composition class right now, which I should have started with, and man... Just a ton of stuff that would take an entire year at school to learn can be ingested and applied in 12hrs. Also loved the Mixed Media class, just finished that last week. So good.

I also like to jump around between classes depending on what I feel like working on, so I have a few classes going at a time at various stages of finish. Which is nice to have the flexibility. Also $12 a month is pretty affordable as far as subscriptions go.

Can't recommend SVS enough.

Best,

Kendra

@Pixby said:

Considering signing-up for the monthly subscription on SVS or purchasing isolated courses. To anyone who has taken them, which helped you improve the most?

No Problem, @Dulcie! I'm a visual learner, which I think most of us here are - so draw-overs and redlines really make a difference.
Also - I love this scene - it's crazy cute! Can't wait to see the next update!

@Dulcie said:

@Kendra-Minadeo Thanks very much for taking the time to do a draw-over, much appreciated! I’m going to have a good think about what you suggested. I will definitely do my best to use more contrast to emphasise the dragon, and I’m going to twiddle with where the edges of the composition lie too. I like the way you’ve added stronger shadows in the values. I’m going to try and incorporate that. Thank you!

Thanks Lydia! always appreciate a draw over!

I really like the placement suggestions and the lighting idea. I'll give it a try!

@gimmehummus said:

Hi Kendra. Great job so far with the environment. My only thought was that the Turtles are really small. I made them larger and did a little rearranging. I also started trying to move the light source forward but ran out of time!

Thank you, Noémie! Tangents are the worst!
Also - I just checked out your website - wow... those nude studies are wonderful!

@NoWayMe said:

Hi Kendra!

I am absolutely no expert myself, but I can try to help!

Hi @Dulcie

This is a super cute scene!
Here are some suggestions that I hope you find helpful.

Stay awesome.

Kendra

Squintable Size with Redlines and Value:

Redlines with Notes:

Redlines with some added Value:

Hi SVS Peeps,

I'm trying to do more environments and am pretty terrible at bringing it all together. I'm working thru the composition class and trying to apply the principles as I go, but would love feedback on lighting and composition if anyone has time.

Draw overs and redlines are always appreciated.

Thanks so much,

Kendra

Squint Size

Full Size

This is lovely

@gimmehummus said:

Big fluffy purple clouds over Shorewood, IL as I got on Rt 80 this afternoon.