Pretty Pepper

[Debzy]

MY IMAGE(S):




GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Pretty Pepper
Year Created:
Medium: Acrylic
Surface: Watercolor Paper
Dimension: 10 x 12
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
This is a painting of one of my 3 cats. She is 1 year old Pepper and very pretty with a beautiful soft nature.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I know this is the open critique forum, and this work isn't completely finished. I want to get the background right before I soften her fur around the edges, add the ear hair, whiskers and put finishing touches to her nose and fur. I am basically done but not sure which background to go for. Please help me to decide which side of the background left or right if any, and any other crits or advice are welcome please!!!! This is to hang in our private home so I want it to reflect her personality a femiminity and I intend to do paintings of our other two cats as well. I am off to work now for a few hours so I wont be able to reply, but will check in later.. =)) Cheers in advance. Debs.
Ref photo to follow!

[greensyster]

For the lazy, the drama of the dark viewers right background would be the go. However from your work you obviously arnt lazy. I would take the left side background to one stage higher in chroma and go with that as it works of the complimentary of the fur and will further enhance those glorious eyes.

[Ili Eve]

Hi there! I really like your painting, the eyes look so vivid. I think the dark background makes the cat pop out more, but the other one is more complex and the colours in it correlate with the colours in the cat's eyes. I'm sure that no matter which one you choose, it will complement the painting nicely.

[Debzy]

Thank you Gs and Eve. I'm still struggling somewhat, I will post the next stage. I have tried a new background and made Peppers markings more prominent, it is more like her colours I think? Still going. I think the coloured background is nicer than the straight dark brown. Thank you both very much. any more crits or advice will be appreciated. =)) Debs.

[Debzy]

Now I look at it, theres not enough gold in her colouring! Back to the drawing board. =))

[Debzy]

I am calling this finished, though it's not framed yet. I would appreciate any critique or advice, any comments at all. Still not too late to change it =)) Her colour on the reference photo is not true, she is not as caramel as that, she is more a grey/brown, closer to the painting actually. Opinions please on the fur. Cheers. Debs. =))

[Kisselkov]

Hi, Debz!

Good portrait you have there, I really like it! The likeness, the "expression", somehow I feel, is true to the real cat, even though I don't know her personally.

About the fur, it looks fine and dandy to me.
The one thing I'd add tho is a bit stronger cast shadow from the head on the white fur of the neck, it'd make the head pop more and the cat would look more elegant because of the "elongation" of the neck that will result from it. I hope this makes sense. And if you disagree, the picture is already beautiful anyway!

[Margaretta]

I agree, just a tad more detailing under the chin would make the face stand out more.
What super work and although advancing every step you have stopped at the Perfect Point. It's so easy to spoil the freshness. This is a wonderful moggy portrait and Pepper is so alive.

[Debzy]

Thank you both very very much. I can easily attend to the shadow, and I do agree with your suggestion. I was brain fried last night after so many hours on it and could not see the wood for the trees... if you get my meaning. So glad you like the portrait, and it does show her character I think. xxx Cheers and hugs. Debs.

[Ajit Bhat]

Hi Debz....
Sorry if I am late.... ;-) Awesome work.... The detailing is just enough for a painting... otherwise it would have looked like a photo. Good you chose the light background. Its giving that harmony to the painting. The eye colour and the background colour just make the painting complete. If you are still up to it ... where the fur coat is dark on the right side... lighten the back ground a bit and where it is light as in case of the ear.... darken the background. It will just give that movement to the painting.
Ofcourse this is just a suggestion... The painting as it is can go on the wall. ;-) Great work

Ajit

[Debzy]

Thank you so much Ajit for your compliments and advice, it wouldn't be difficult to alter the background slightly. I appreciate it and can see that it could make a difference! Thank you again. Cheers and best wishes, Debs. =))

[billmahler]

Great job.
I'd leave it alone.

[Debzy]

Thank you so much Bill, I so appreciate your comment. I did a lot of work on this one and I am glad it has turned out ok. I can make minor adjustments on it but as you probably know there is always the possibility that it may get buggered up somehow and end up having to do more than planned to get it right again. I may just leave it, I fear i will mix the wrong colour even slightly and end up overworking the whole thing, but I will think about it some more before I frame it. Cheers and thanks again. Debs. =))

[greensyster]

You certainly pulled it off. Good job!

[maryinasia]

something seems off in the eyes/ear/nose alignment,esp the cat's left ear/forehead. The left forehead doesn't recede like it should.

It's gorgeous.