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WIP. Help.
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Posted
I started this 2 months ago. It's 20 inches by 30. The bit I painted out had a skull a metronome and a light bulb hanging down. My idea was that the bulb was going to be the light source for a glow on the flowers and skull. I couldn't get the threadbare wire right, I tried a few times, got frustrated and painted it all out. The flowers are coming along they are not finished and I might add more. I've started putting glaze on two of them so I can make a comparison with the rest. I need to do foliage and the vase, that won't be a problem. I've decided to tackle it again today. Should I put in what I've taken out and keep trying or any suggestions what I should do with the space. I've lost my way a bit with this and need to get back on track. I was thinking of maybe going with a room in the background with a distant door and scraping the skull idea altogether. All advice and suggestions welcome. Thanks.
Posted
I think the choices are personal. I can’t tell you what you should or should not do, I can only say, what I would do if it were my painting. Personally, I would concentrate on the flowers and reflections in the glass vase. Perhaps add a few petals dropped on the table/counter. Maybe change the vase into an opaque one. But these are all possibilities.
Posted
Thanks Linda, I ended up putting a deer skull in, I worked on it all day yesterday, it's coming along, it's give me the push I need to carry on with it. I've not tried a boney skull but I'm happy with the way it's going. I'm going to fill some of the background in today. Work on the skull. I will probably leave the vase till the very last. At least I will be able to finish it now I've got going again.
Posted
Just to say Denise, you don’t have to fill every available space!
Leaving some areas of background can help direct the viewers eye to focus on the main components of a composition. Too much going on can be distracting!
The flowers are great, but the vase/glass needs some attention. Both sides need to have the same profile, trace one side and use this template for the other side.
Also the ellipse on the base needs to be correct, there should be plenty of examples on Google.
These aren’t criticisms, you’re keen to learn which is why I’m pointing these issues out.
Posted
Here is the skull I'm working on. I've not started on the antlers as I've decided to change the shape of them. I put another flower in but it's on the wrong angle so I have to re do it. I'll work more on the skull today and probably make a start on the antlers. I think you are right Alan about putting to much stuff in, so I've decided to scrap the lightbulb, it will just look to busy.
Posted
I'm wondering if you can give me some advice about the skull Alan,as I've got nothing to go off and no one to ask. You mentioned about toning down the skull. Is it just the lower jaw line or do you think it all needs toning down. I don't want to mess it up and it's dry enough to work on again. Much appreciated if anyone can advise. Thanks.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
Okay then let’s have a look at this skull!
Firstly, it’s all so light that it’s around 2 on the tonal scale whereas the background is 10. You can read about tonal scales in my current article in The Artist.
It also looks like it’s floating, because there’s no shadow at its base, and all a bit white - tone it down a touch with say an ochre.
So, I would knock the whole skull AND antlers back, so it all looks part of the composition and not added as an afterthought!
Your highlights should perhaps be above the eye socket and the length of the skull above the nose area.
Have a go at these issues and let’s have another look at it.
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
I would say that the antlers are slightly out of key, if you darken them slightly at the top they will blend better. Equally as well with the skull, darken the left hand side and the base of the skull to bring that into key. It's the classic dark against light. By the way Denise, the glass is superb.
Posted
Thanks for taking the time to advise Alan, I shall try these things, much appreciated. I have to thank you also as you got me started on my oil painting journey and I hope in a few years, I'll get to a reasonable standard. Thanks Stephen, I will try to darken the antlers and your advice is much appreciated.