Stew McCulloch 16 Jan 2005

The painting of the dog looks amateurish to me but I am not a good one to listen to. The photograph of the boy is another story. Again it is the work of an amateur. Improve it 1st of all by getting down to his level. Bend your knees and get to his eyes and the background out of focus. Keep shooting and you'll improve in a hurry.

Juan Gomez 16 Jan 2005

Hi Victoria..work on your contrast and tonal arrange-ment...where is your light source coming from? are you working from a photo?...what are trying to achieve effect wise? just my observation..

Juan Gomez 16 Jan 2005

Stew easy on her..be constructive not opinionated..help her!! NO Fair Dude.

Jude 16 Jan 2005

Victoria, if you soften the area around the eyes blend it in to the lighter color of the dogs hair a little and show the shape of the eye more. define the dogs dark hair and the eye.

Its a good start keep up the good work.

rosemary gioielli 16 Jan 2005

think it's going well. how about some highlights on the muzzle and nose? some contrast in the fur, bring out some individual strands of the fur under the mouth and above the eyes etc. i'm not sold on the bent ear. maybe if it was straight and went off the canvas? last observation- more contrast with the background, a slightly darker shade. i think it's looking good.

Hinsel Scott 16 Jan 2005

fur is REALLY tough to paint. everyone giving good advice here victoria - and i think you've already made a very good start. study your subject - work from a photograph if you can, after all some dogs don't sit still too long. keep creating!

Michele Luccketta 16 Jan 2005

HI :) Don't be afraid of detail. It might help you out in the eyes area. You have great dimensions and perspective here. I believe shadow and texture might be what you are looking for. Good luck!! Never quit!

Victoria Giffin 17 Jan 2005

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!! thanks for all the great tips! It sure makes it nice to have someone else's perspective on a piece! That is what i love about this site!! I know for this particular piece, there was somethings i liked and others that just didnt fit!

joel zelikovitz 17 Jan 2005

I love the photo of the boy from the angle you took it. His pose suggests he (little) may be in a bit of trouble with the adult(big) he is facing. Works for me.

Helene Khoury 17 Jan 2005

Hallo Victoria, don't be afraid to give your dog more contrast, like harder shadow under the neck, under the eyes. I don't have a difficulty with the background because you did bring the harmony by using the background color in the dog. The bended ear is longer than the other ear. Like the rest said it is a good start, just few adjustment and hop it is ready. succes.

Victoria Giffin 17 Jan 2005

Ok everybody! have tinkered with this painting a bit, adding some of the great suggestions, looking better already. Bit the bullet and added a heavier contrast on those shadows, I am such a chicken when it comest shadows, guess that is what is holding me back??? oh, and Joel, great observation on the picture of aaron getting in trouble! We were painting a wall (that we have to repair anyway!) and i went in the house for a sec, came outside and aaron had painted his face!! BUSTED!!lololol couldnt reisist taking a quick pic!! well, everybody, will post a new picture of the painting when i get to that next point. Thanks again for all your great suggestions!! victoria:)

Victoria Giffin 18 Jan 2005

Hey everyone, Took this picture this morning, have to apologize for the crappy photo, but hadnt had my coffee yet!!lol. Did quite a bit of adjusting on this, I think it looks better. Still have the itch to keep adding here and there, especially finishing the bent ear. will update again when I get farther along. victoria

Victoria Giffin 18 Jan 2005

it's me again, now that i look at this on the post, it seems really dark, must be my camera, in person i lighten around the eyes alot and added more highlights, just not showing on here. maybe i should add more, will think about it!!

paulette rygiel 19 Jan 2005

Victoria, I like what you have done so far with the tweaking. I would even go a little further with the eye area. Soften that dark brown more by lighting that area up more so that the eyes themself stand out in the darker brown. Make that area around the eye in a mid value blending into the fur which you have nice value changes there already.

Pete Miller 19 Jan 2005

Victoria, I like the improvements but it seems to me that the perspective or the angle needs work..someone said before , fur is a b**ch to paint and it is coming along really great keep it up its looking really good

Victoria Giffin 21 Jan 2005

ok. I have finally lost my marbles!! i have redone so much on this it doesnt look the same!! haha which i think is a good thing, I used alot of tips that you all had given me and sure think it looks much, much better! thanks again for all the help! victoria

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