Moonlit Wolf wip critique request

[ldB08]

I am seeking constructive criticism on this wip specific to its composition although all aspects of it could use a fresh set of eyes. Creating a background is a first for me...most...no...all of my projects have no background beyond a few small skritches depicting a hint of grass. Have I put it together okay? How can I improve the composition? Too much? Too little?

[*Deirdre*]

I find the drawing well done...on the composition side...I'm not sure what part that tree trunk serves other than to distract the viewer and take the eye off page...apart from that...it works well for me. It may be possible to make more sense of a tree at that angle where there some evidence of a strong root holding it and preventing it from falling over...maybe,,,maybe not!

[Scotkatidid]

Deidre
I Am In Awe Of The Texture That Is In The Tree And The Wolf - Wonderful!

[Gerri Mc]

Hi Eldy,

The wolf is great - lovely eyes especially.

Maybe a bit more dark in the foreground would help anchor the tree. It just seems to hover a bit. IMHO.

Nice drawing though.

[ldB08]

Thank you Deirdre, Scotkatidid, and Gerri for having a look and your encouragement. Much appreciated!

I see that the tree does lead the eye up and away from the page. By fading it away somewhat at the top I had hoped to weaken that effect. But I do feel my eyes being led upward. Perhaps I might try turning the tree into a broken stump instead. I will also see what I can do to create an anchor of dark gnarly roots or something to give it more visual 'strength' at the base.

Thanks again. I'll post it again after working these details out.

[chaz]

I agree with the other comments about the drawing''but I agree with Deirdre about the composition. Every element is well done; the hills in the background, the bark on the tree and the Wolf itself. however they are arranged in such a manner as to draw the eye away from the point of interest...the Wolf.

if one's eye enters he drawing on the left side, the slopes of the hills lead the eye down to the trunk of the tree and out of the picture. If one's eye enters at the lower right, the truck of the tree then leads the eye out of the picture. The big white space on the left hand side is a major distraction also.

You might move the tree over to the right and eliminate the triangle of space in the right hand corner, especially the edge of the tree that leads the eye instantly out of the picture. I would also move the tree trunk up and over to the right. that would give more space in the foreground and allow the tree to fill the entire right corner. I would then move the wolf up so that the slopes of the hills in the background would be broken by the wolf. that then stops the eye on the main subject..the wolf.

Fill the foreground with some bushes or perhaps a fallen log or more roots of the tree as Deirdre suggested. arrange them so that they lead the eye to the main interest...the wolf.

Add some detail to that area of empty space on the left.

I hope you can make sense to what I suggested.

Remember the composition should lead the eye into the picture, and then move it around until there is an exit point that leads the eye out of the picture. diagonals fill this quite well. for instance in your drawing as it is now some diagonal could lead the eye from the right corner, to the left end of the hills and then the diagonal formed by the hills could lead down to where I suggested you move the wolf. Then the slant of the tree trunk would lead the eye out of the picture.

There are many other options present. Just work the diagonal a bit and see what you can come up with.

Chuck

[ldB08]

Thanks for the input Chuck! Wow...it all makes sense. It's a lot to digest but it certainly gives me something to work with.

[Logie]

Great drawing--such menace. You have received lots of good advice --may I also suggest darkening the tone slightly around the wolf particularly between the back legs-- I think it will help to throw the subject forward.

[kennychaffin]

Well done. I'm thinking the head/face is slightly too far to the left though. The feet/body seems pretty much aligned but head is at a different angle or something.....at least to me, I think the background is fine.

[Tdot]

You have already received some great advice and I agree with that but I just wanted to pop in and say i love the texture on your fur and the tree bark.

[ldB08]

Thank you all for looking this over. This is how much I've gotten to changing it so far. I am seeing improvement in how it is put together...for sure the tree is better as a stump. I haven't had time to do much about the foreground. I'll have a careful look at the wolf's head Kenny and see about the bark between the back legs too.

[kennychaffin]

Great job.

[*Deirdre*]

Much improved!! One point...the weather...is it snowing? In which case the grasses at the front would be light...if not, wouldn't they be darker as it's lit from behind? Contra Jour...I think they call it!!

[Gerri Mc]

Really good now - well done. For me, I would add a little more shadow cast by the wolf on the tree trunk - but that's just MHO. It is really good as is.

[chaz]

Much improvement now. It's looking quite good now/ I agree with Deirdre and Gerri about the shadows, I'll add my two cents worth on that issue too. The objects on the left lower third of the drawing should be a bit darker especially on the lower parts and cast a larger shadow (I mean darker and extending a bit further upon the on the ground. As an added accent on those details, leave a lighter area on their tops. the light is coming from the upper left, and that would leave a bright highlight on the rims.

You have done a very good job this time around. An interesting drawing now.

Chuck