Star Fish On Sea Floor

[PETE K]

Hi Y'all, did this a few days back, Seems my shell doesn't read quite right. the top is part under the sand, yet don't want the shell to over power the star fish. any sugestions anyone. 9/12 on light blue smooth side sanded watercolour paper.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Apr-2009/131537-100_0271.jpg

[BetsyPriesing]

Hi Pete very nice starfish! you got the lumpy things to read right! The inside of your shell has very nice pink tones to it.
I think that the top of the shell should have the lightest values and the inside darker...you do have the darker blue but the pinks and whites sort of disappear into the sand. hmm i don't know maybe bring all the sandy background down in value to make the shell pop up a bit? Like you have with the right arm next to the shell area?
I could be wrong...see what someone else thinks :)

[Donna T]

Great texture in the star fish, Pete! I see what Betsy's saying and think that her idea might help the shell stand out just a little bit more. Maybe play around with a little mini version of this on scrap paper before you make any changes. I think you could darken the area inside the shell where the star fish has his arm just a little too to give a little more impression of the arm being inside the shell. I really like all the movement on the sandy floor!

Donna

[Susan Jenkins]

I don't have any critiques on this... I just really like it!
:) susan

[PETE K]

Hi Betsy and Donna, hope you two don't mind if I put Y'all together on this one. Betsy you say bring down the value in the sand and Donna say it too. and maybe darken the inside a little. I will give it a try. I'm going to make a copy and see if I could do i on that first, so I don't mess it up any more. thank you both for Y'alls help.

Thank you Susan ,for that vote.

[LUDMILA]

Hey Pete! Took me forever to find this!:clap: Looks great. I do see what you mean and think that you can resolve that problem by lightenning the back tip of the shell all the way to the mid section of the shell thus seperating it from the midtone value of the sand. Also casting a shadow both on the sand under the shell and darkenning the shadow just where the arm of the starfish goes into the shell but not all the way to where the arm connects with the body ( just a few millimeters). Good luck and keep up the good work. :wave:

[BetsyPriesing]

oh Mila might just have a simple solution! easier than changing the whole background. that might just do it by itself.

[Lynne Vokatis]

hi pete. man,im drawing a blank to critique it,but i keep going back to look at it ....and i really like it!the starfish is awesome!lynne

[PETE K]

Well HI Mila! glad you could make it. thanks ever so much I think that could work. sorry I had to miss or P/A painting today but the water heater is almost done what a job. tomarrow I have to wait for the insurence person to come to check out the damages from the oak tree hitting the house. I don't like every thing thats happened takes away from my painting time. well break time is over have to get back. thanks again.