Loverly Rita

[I'm Not Bob]

MY IMAGE(S):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/11-14-2003/24611_rita.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/11-14-2003/24611_Ritawebsiteimage.JPG


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Loverly Rita
Year Created: 2003
Medium: Colored Pencil
Surface: Paper
Dimension: 8 x 10
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
Oops... Forgive the cross posting, but I forgot to select the structured option the first time I tried this.

Here is a colored pencil drawing of my dog Rita. Prizmacolor CP on Strathmore natural (cream colored) drawing paper

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I created a rather stylistic background instead of the realistic that I usually go for. I kind of like the overall effect. Any recommendations for improvement???

[Janesc]

Great job. Very nice likeness. The two things that I find distracting are the blue shadow on the fence and his front leg seems thinner than the other further back front leg. Far from expert opinion though!

[I'm Not Bob]

Originally posted by Janesc
Great job. Very nice likeness. The two things that I find distracting are the blue shadow on the fence and his front leg seems thinner than the other further back front leg. Far from expert opinion though!

Hi Janesc,

First off, thank you for the kind words.

The blue shadow on the fence was an experiment on my part. I have been looking at this drawing from across my living room and it has kind of grown on me. From a distance it looks like some sort of background design element. Anyway.... I do not think I will do such a thing again. I would have most likely been better off if I kept the background more monotone like the rest.

As far as the front leg, that is an optical illusion. The leg in the foreground is only white at the tips of the toes. The leg in the background is white all the way up to the due <sp> claw.

[Rabies]

Hi "Not Bob"! I think you've done a great job on capturing Rita's face (and expression). I do think that the line between the ground and her chest/belly is a little too distinct: she doesn't seem to be lying ON the ground, and the contrast wars with the real focus of the painting, her face. I'm also thinking that the ground is lifting up, not lying down and receding into the distance, especially on the right. I think that greying it a bit more at the back might be effective.

IMHO,

[xvallarta]

I think you have done a wondeful job in painting the hair on the dog. I also think after reading the other comments so far that you fell into the trap of coping a photo. Photos often distort an image. When rendering a painting you have to compensate for that distortion by painting what looks right rather than what was in the photo. I think the dog leg problem is an example of this.

You do lovely work with the pencil and I lookforward to seeing more of your work.

myles