Struggling- To finish or not to finish?

[RADAR]

don't touch it ,sign that baby and move on.It's Perfect!

[Rahul Parekh]

Hi Stephanie,

Your lion is looking gorgeous. You should finish it with grand success .

I think you are not focused at the moment and that's create confusion in your mind. You should think of one part at a time. Specially those with you are not happy. Try to rectify it & move ahead to next part. If you are working on eyes; forget everything else. If you are working on face; forget everything else. Work in blocks.

This will make your work easy & you can concentrate on your painting effectively...

Happy Painting

Cheers, Rahul

[midcoast]

I would agree with the others in that you have a great start on the lion and if I were in your place I'd strive to finish it. You've gotten some good suggestions so I won't post more.

I will say in response to Rahul that everyone paints (or rather, creates) differently. I cannot focus on one block at a time - if I do, I lose all sense of the painting and it's done for. I invariably end up throwing these away. I always work all over, bringing the painting to completion at once (not section by section). Everyone works differently so do whatever helps you focus.

I did want to comment on coming back after a hiatus - it's a bugger! I took a year off painting about 4 years ago and it took me several paintings to feel as though I was back on my game. I got "rusty" in my time away from the easel and the only way I recitified that was to PAINT So be gentle with yourself but keep at it.

I also like Jason's suggestion to mix up working on small and large paintings - I also do this and it really helps keep my interest going. I'll also throw in some plein air painting to spark some creative energy.

Best of luck!

Nancy

[JGlatz]

Hi--just a little suggestion: the right (viewer's right) white spot below the eye is a lot different from that on the left and was the first thing I noticed. Have you finished the snout? I imagine you are highliting that area, but I would have the whiskers be more visible on the left. I think it is beautiful work, and that you should keep on making such lovely art.

[steffunke]

Thanks for all the great comments and advice everyone. I think taking it in small sections might be the answer with a big picture, I am very impatient. I finished my Powder Kitten and now I'm working on a horse, then maybe I can tackle the lion again!

Stephanie

[wildlifeart89]

This looks gorgeous! Please take this beauty out of the closet. I admire your strong sense of movement, and I really like how you've achieved his thick mane. I was thinking that maybe a few grasses in front of the paws might look good? Although its sometimes hard, I try to remember that something good always comes out of every painting. If you've already started it, then there's no reason not to finish.
Paige

[skappy]

Hi Stephanie I like your picture the action of the cat and everything

As you asked for help I tried haer to see what could be changed and IMHO the darkline on the cat head being of centered give the impression the face is a bit twisted and elongated [even if it is like that on your ref] .So i recentered the line and enlarged a bit the right face and right shoulder of the cat so you can judge wihout trying it

I hope you do not mind I deited your picture what I did is just a suggestion roughly done in psd to think about it

Robert

ORIGINAL ============================== EDITED

[steffunke]

Thank you, I don't mind the help at all, I was pretty close to putting this picture in the round file, your making me reconsider. Just adding more face in the shadows does help a lot. Maybe I will pick it up again. Thank you for taking the time to help me!

[GailT]

I think your lion is coming along nicely and agree with most of what others have said - I'd probably put it away for a little while to destress but not for too long, as having done that I then "go off" the painting altogether. If your reference is too small, maybe look for a few larger ones in similar poses to help with the detail? I've been tempted to cut up a troublesome painting and frame the bit I was happy with (head and shoulders) but so far I've perservered. Gail

[steffunke]

I hear what your saying there Gail!!!

Stephanie