The dilemma is that to fix what I think needs fixing could require removing most of what I've already done. Gads! Suggestions are welcome.
My next moment in the studio is not until next Saturday, so I'll be mulling this over all week.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Squirrel-ish Dilemma
I want to be happy with this, and I am with most of it, but still it is not quite right.
The dilemma is that to fix what I think needs fixing could require removing most of what I've already done. Gads! Suggestions are welcome.
My next moment in the studio is not until next Saturday, so I'll be mulling this over all week.
The dilemma is that to fix what I think needs fixing could require removing most of what I've already done. Gads! Suggestions are welcome.
My next moment in the studio is not until next Saturday, so I'll be mulling this over all week.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
Hi, the pink blossoms appear to have no relationship to the rest of the composition. A quick fix would be even a single partial blossom where the tree engages the edge.This would help the eye move throughout.
janice
Good point, Janice. I was also thinking of extending the branches - one downward and the other across towards the squirrel. But on the other hand, I don't want them to take over the scene! Definitely will have to play with the blossoms some more.
Great squirrel! Love the grass. I too think the blooms appear to have no relationship to the rest of the composition. I also think there needs to be more of them so there is not so much empty space or fill the empty space with something else. Can you share the size? Good luck. I look forward to seeing what you do.
I haven't measured it but I'd guess that is around 40" x 24". Well, if I had to remove something, the blossoms would be the least painful.
Kim,
Could be my screen, but for me, the squirrel's nose gets lost in the background because it's so similar in value. I'm also having a hard time figuring out the light source.
You are brave putting this out there and asking for comments! Good for you!
I really like the squirrel, the tree, and the grass. I think there's too much empty space between the squirrel and blossoms. Might it need to be less wide so the blossoms seem more connected to the rest? Do you need a blossom fallen to the ground in front of the squirrel?
Good luck! There is a lot of good work here.
I agree...I think your blossoms were your attempt to solve the problem of balance and it does work to an extent....but like Janice said...they aren't really related to the rest of the image as there still is a lot of space in between and you're wondering....how is it that the flowering branch is at that angle and orientation (it's not a weeping cherry which would be close to the ground because the branch is wrong.
If you jut the branch off...you can still use that part for another smaller piece. :)
I'm also a little disturbed by the really light spot on the squirrel. It doesn't really work as a light source lightening the spot...and it is so different than the rich brown... Is it a piebald squirrel? I've seen white squirrels, black squirrels, black and brown squirrels, but not one like this squirrel. Curious....
Great feedback! It's got my brain spinning. I'm thinking this is going to take several more studio Saturdays to work it out and I'll have to review my source photos for more inspiration.
We do actually have multi-color squirrels around us. They are red-ish brown and light gray. I watch them outside my office window all the time! But, yes, I do need further definition of a light source.
More blossoms! I love them!
A retired art teacher i know says that colors need "a friend". You could drop some pink petals in the grass, maybe introduce some green leaves beginning to form in the tree or extend the flowered branches out further with some of them bare, some with little green leaves with a cluster or two of flower buds. Maybe use a touch or two of the blue in a couple of the flower shadings. That way all your colors have friends
You've got a good piece going. Love the squirrel.
Max
My first thought was to delineate the upper portion of the squirrel's face at the quilting stage. A single in-the-ditch line of a golden yellow (the compliment of the purple-ish background) will do the trick...try laying a piece of thread along that edge and see how it looks.
The blossoms: I like the idea of scattering some petals down in an arc from the branches gently moving towards the squirrel...like the petal-fall after a windy spring day. Just a few petals close the the squirrel, more under the branches, maybe 3 or 5 wisping down and across the background toward the squirrel.
I like the two-tone-ness of the squirrel. You can blend the colors by using a medium-tan/gold when quilting that part of him...
looking forward to seeing what you do!
Great suggestions, Sarah! Can't wait til my next studio day to play with all these ideas.
Did you notice there is a 'shadow' of the squirrel to his left in the background fabric?
Might help to add some brown to the flowers with a fabric markers?
Good work. He is cute without being cute-sy.
Wow, Sandra. I had not noticed the "ghost squirrel". I'll have to make sure that whatever I decide to do doesn't hide this. Love it when unexpected things appear in designs.
Post a Comment