Liz Mclelland 19 Sep 2009

Here's my first ele painting for comparison...

jim boehmer 19 Sep 2009

I like it.....jim

Patricia Rachidi 23 Sep 2009

I like them both..however I think the elephants from the rear is a more interesting composition and quite unexpected.

Ann 23 Sep 2009

Hi Liz, the composition isn't bad, but as Patricia said, it isn't as interesting as your other one. The thing that bothers me is that his right ear has been cut off. I think lightening up his shaded parts would work better. The ear is a very large dark area and captures a lot of the attention when you look at this painting. His forehead looks too narrow, but I don't know much about elephants, so I might be off in left field lol. I think "his" left ear is a bit too light because it's almost lost into the sky. The highlighted foreleg is a very smooth line and could use more texture and wrinkles of an elephant's leg. Do you use white for your highlights? Try using another colour like pale yellow or blue for lightening, so you don't get the stark brightness that white creates. Usually when doing a forward facing animal, it's better to show at least one of their eyes to bring them to life. You did a good job in making him look like he's charging, but his trunk is hanging limp like umm, well it's just limp ok? lol Liz, I like this elephant scene. You did a great job on the background, the foliage and field. I've just given you a few things to consider for your next elephant painting. Ann

Suzanne Barrett Justis 23 Sep 2009

I agree with what everyone else said about the two pieces. However, I do feel the ear on the right needs a bit more shadow or detail...oomph . I think it looks a bit weak. Overall, I think it looks great.

Jerrie Glasper 23 Sep 2009

Adding contrast, as Suzanne has done in her painting, would also help modify/define the elephant. Darkening the sky, just a little bit, would especially help to push forward the lightest ear. Also, a tad bit more definition in the shadow areas may also help. Overall, good job, Liz. Keep 'em coming!!!

cramer 24 Sep 2009

they both look great!...but for the top one....well like others said, more details in the shadows and hightlights....im not saying to change it but imagine the trunk instead of being floped over the tusk, it was sticking out towards the viewer, all 3d like...something to think about in future pieces

Liz Mclelland 12 Nov 2009

Haven't had a chance to check back on here for a while.

Thanks so much everyone for your feedback! Yes, now I can see the darker ear is far too dominating, and I need to lighten all the shaded areas up. I'll take on board all your very helpful comments and try to rescue it. Sometimes it's so hard to see the obvious when you've been working on something for a while.

Shame the 'floppy trunk' thing isn't working for some of you - in the photo it looks so charming - it was like he was a bit unsure of himself and hasn't quite got the hang of looking big and scary like his Dad yet!

Thanks again for all your encouragement, maybe one day I'll have something worth entering in a competition!

Joanne Harvey 13 Nov 2009

Liz....In the past..I used to watch Afracam. It was an open pond that you could watch the wild elephants come to drink. Usually one at A time... would come...and drink...blow water on their backs and feet...and just plain have fun. When he got through...to my amaizment...he draped his trunk across one tusk and walked away with that contented look...that YOUR elephant has.

Behind him...leave that round clump of brown...on to that lighter area....make that the pond. The sky should show sun set colors..orange...yellow..working its way up to the blues. That should show off his head beautifully.

Make A play of birds some where....they are always around. This is such A good picture of real life. This is just my thoughts when I saw your beautiful picture.

Abigail Adams 06 Jan 2010

I really think what made the first one look so good was the "dusty" look. It added a sense of realism that this one doesn't quite capture.

W. James Taylor 07 Jan 2010

i like what you have done with the Elephant, I think the folage is competing heavely on the right ... the second elephant painting has more realizim as others have said ...I like your work ... keep reaching for excellence

Thierry Reno 11 Jan 2010

This is very good but I think like others that the foliage on the right seems to throw this off balance a little.

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