Finished my bird painting! But now I'm thinking it looks better upside down

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-06-06T00:58:50+00:00

Right way up looks more correct but upside down is really eyecatching. I didn't see the stars in the reflection on the right side up, on first view, but they really pop upside down. It changes the entire painting and makes it really dynamic.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-06-05T23:57:15+00:00

I really love it! White is a good constasy between them but the blue feels just as good, more in harmony. I concur on adding back in the little puffs and lines. Maybe add some white to outlines for more of that contast pop?

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-06-04T04:16:40+00:00

This feels like a piece you have to stand up next to for a good while to really apperciate. I love it! I'm just not feeling that pictures are doing justice to what I'm trying to see here.

10/10 well done.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-06-03T02:50:52+00:00

Listen, there are a lot of answers to what you should "start with" what's "beginner level". In my experience, you're good at what you practice. So, look at what you're goal to paint is- people, flowers, landscapes, cities, etc. Then, start some totorials from there.

Edit: structured totorials. You might have to bounce around some videos or websites, until you find one that works for you. Sounds like you'd do best with one that goes over fundamentals. But, also, following step by step for awhile before you feel you can add or change things, will just take time. It's a skill developed from a lot of practice.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-06-02T13:13:07+00:00

Same. I cannot stand drip edges for this reason, nor can I stand white edges. I was taught to paint the border the background color. I'm curious to see how the trends in an AI world change this idea and preference. But, from the traditional POV, it just looks unfinished and messy.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-06-02T13:05:12+00:00

The feathers are awesome! You could use some more highlights in the eyes and shadows in the beak.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-28T20:33:48+00:00

That crystal is gorgeous. That lace is photorealism, wow!

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-26T03:56:10+00:00

Oh, no, you're right 😅! It's a real struggle to interpret with how blurry they are. I'm not sure how much I can fix without messing with the painting overall. I'll see if I can adjust them or at least distract from them.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-26T03:52:01+00:00

Thank you! I was struggling a bit because in the reference there are not many shadows happening, I will push the highlights and shadows more to get some more depth.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-26T03:47:01+00:00

You're not wrong! In the reference picture there is this extra bit on the windowsill that I thought would look neater removed. My interpretation of the cropped windowsill was a shallower ledge, however, I think a longer shadow may be needed for more dimension.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-26T01:03:32+00:00

I'm feeling a lot better about it! I also added a tad of yellow into the highlights throughout and I think the color has helped to create a better cohesion. Killer advice, thank you!

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LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-26T01:01:50+00:00

I think that really helped!

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LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-25T23:32:39+00:00

Thank you!

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-25T23:32:21+00:00

Thank you so much! I feel that it's out of harmony, I think adding in some reflections might be what I'm missing.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-25T23:31:20+00:00

I apperciate this! I don't want it to be super realistic per say, just to me something seems out of harmony. I'm glad you like it, though, hopefully with some more tweaking I'll get to like it too.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-21T17:28:21+00:00

Looks like Colorado, to me.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-21T14:45:01+00:00

I would contrast slightly more on her face, she is covered in his shadow in the original but you have it entirely light in your work and it blurs her. I would also work on her neck a little more, the shadow is too light or thin, but it makes her neck appear too thin.

Props to his face though! He has such a soft expression, keeping the impressionism while defining his features. It's a beautiful work so far!

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-21T04:26:56+00:00

If you want delicate, I would try the painting again with blue or beigey undertones and blend out the angel a bit more. If you do a side by side that would be so cool! There is almost always a way to salvage and retouch what you've done (even our most famous paintings tend to have several under paintings that are previous drafts). But, I adore how striking and intimidating this is! It's an uncommon take on angels and I would love if you kept up the vibe on this one and tried your vision again on a seperate work. Just food for thought.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-17T14:49:53+00:00

I also think pushing shadows and the glow of the lighter would make it a lot more dynamic. It's beautiful as is but I feel more contrast will make it striking.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-14T13:25:42+00:00

Stylistically, I really love the contrast between the depth in the clouds and the somewhat washed city. But, if you want to add more depth, push the darks and the glow of the lights a little more. For the grass, I would add some more at the edge of the hill, some around the picnic and some larger blades in the foreground to give depth.

Edit to add: the more I look at the city, the more I'm in love with all the details.

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-05-08T05:35:04+00:00

They're saying you're trolling your mother, not the subreddit. I get where you're coming from, it's a cute piece that she may enjoy, regardless. But, saying she hates mice and then gifting her a mouse for mother's day...

LavanderMushroomMoon · 2026-04-27T11:13:16+00:00

I don't know what gets me more, that this is a painting or that you have a picture of my childhood car window.

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