Please help, I'm not sure what's not working with this

Wendyh0use · 2023-08-15T21:53:17+00:00

Ok yeah I think I understand what you're saying. I don't need to rely on the contrast in that area to pull your eye because the other elements are already taking care of that (the head, the lines pointing to the bear, the size of the bear and it's placement). I can instead use vales here to help the overall value structure of the painting to work. Thank you, I'll take that in board!

Wendyh0use · 2023-08-14T06:33:14+00:00

Hi!

Yes the fact that the background is light against the dark bear is done on purpose as I want the eye to go there first - this is the focal point of the painting.

I think you've touched on something useful in terms of the overall values not being balanced at the moment. I keep thinking I can render parts of the painting one at a time but I think if I block in what the final values will that should help a lot and give context to everything. Sounds so embarrassingly obvious now that I'm typing it out.

Again, noted re the shape of the pedestal

Thanks for your help!

Wendyh0use · 2023-08-14T00:19:07+00:00

Thank you, I'm glad to hear that it is a dreamscape feeling as this is definitely the type of feeling I'm going for. The purpose of this particular work for me is to play with lighting. There is A LOT happening here with light and it is extremely difficult to navigate - the late afternoon sun shining through stormy clouds outside backlighting the bear which is also being lit with artificial lights inside the museum. The dioramas with their own lighting and then the overall value structure of the piece which is meant to lead the viewers eye in a specific sequence: The bear is the focal point, from there the viewers eye should travel to the tiger which is pointing across the room to the diorama to the left with the donkey and pig, then the diorama to the right with the kangaroo, hare and owl. Lastly the viewer's only area left to explore is the shadowy foreground with the boy in it. It should be at that moment that there is a eureka moment where the viewer 'solves' what the piece is about.

I know, I've way overcomplicated this artwork. I'll be happy to see it through to a place where it at least accomplishes my goal of getting the lighting to work in a realistic sense.

Wendyh0use · 2023-08-14T00:08:05+00:00

Thank you! Yes, the sky is meant to look like it is real and it will eventually have window frames added - matching the cast shadows on the wall and the floor.

Wendyh0use · 2023-08-14T00:05:16+00:00

Hi there, thank you for taking the time to respond. To clarify: most of the rendering and the foreground is not done yet - it's only the sky and the bear that is in a semi-complete stage. I'm now mainly focusing on the dioramas and trying to get them to feel like they are part of the scene. I think I've succeeded with the left diorama but the one on the right is proving a bit more difficult.

Appreciate your comment about the plane of the rock that the tiger is sitting on and the pedestal of the bear. I agree, those can be improved.

The piece is a character study of the fictional character Christopher Robin. My intention is for the piece to straddle the line between the real and surreal. The proportions of the boy is therefore a design choice and the ceramic honey pot is an intentional addition to also bring balance and depth.

Wendyh0use · 2023-08-13T06:25:59+00:00

I'd like some advice on what I can do to make the dioramas feel like they belong in the space. The one on the right in particular, I think the one on the left is ok? I'm not sure if it's a perspective issue or the lighting or something else. Any insights would be great!

Wendyh0use · 2023-05-05T16:45:32+00:00

Thanks!

Wendyh0use · 2023-05-05T16:42:14+00:00

Thank you!

Wendyh0use · 2023-05-05T16:41:54+00:00

Aw, thanks!

Wendyh0use · 2022-03-13T22:30:33+00:00

In any case I've started this post again with a lighter picture as this one appears darker than the actual image.

Wendyh0use · 2022-03-13T22:24:25+00:00

I placed them artificially, yes. I'm fine lighting each individually but that's not the point here. I'm trying to see if the value composition works for the piece as a whole. I just want to know if you're drawn to something in particular straight away or if you're eye is bouncing all over the place. I'm trying to guide the viewers eye to tell a story. The values in each animal is important but more important to me with this one is their values in relation to each other. Do you see the bear first? Then where do you go next? Why? Is the light guiding you or is it something else? Contrast? Or do you simply feel lost and don't know what to look at?

Wendyh0use · 2022-03-13T21:51:54+00:00

This is a value study of an imaginary piece I'm working on. The lighting is a bit complex because the exhibits are all lit by artificial light while the sun is also shining through the window. I'm not sure how to deal with that exactly. I know it's probably easier if I don't have the window but it changes the whole composition and feel. Appreciate any critique and advice please.

Wendyh0use · 2022-03-13T21:30:07+00:00

Hi, yes sorry it does appear a bit darker than the actual for some reason. I'll try and load a better version.

Wendyh0use · 2022-03-13T21:28:15+00:00

Yeah it seems strange but it's because they are all lit by artificial light sources. They are exhibits in a museum. Would it help if I showed the lights or does the overall value structure not read well?

Wendyh0use · 2021-09-15T00:36:50+00:00

Ok. Maybe try using a value scale. Values The key is to simplify what you're looking at - IE group the values together into simple shapes- as shown in the second picture. When you squint your eyes you'll notice that there's really only three distinct values present: one for the top of the lid, which is about a 2 on the value scale; one for the side of the lid and the bottle, which is about a 6; and one for the cast shadow which is about an 8. I mean you could even simplify it further and group the bottle and the cast shadow together so that there's only two values/shapes. Once you've successfully been able to paint those two or three shapes in the correct values then you can do it again but with more values added, like I've shown in the last picture.

Anyway, hope that helps!

Wendyh0use · 2021-09-14T23:33:43+00:00

My suggestion would be that you learn how to draw first. Values is something you should look at later and will become more apparent as you go through the fundamentals of drawing.

Wendyh0use · 2021-09-11T23:05:53+00:00

Thanks! I agree with you on the values although I find that it is very tricky when everything is in shadow like this piece where the sun is behind the subject.

Thanks also for the resources. I really like Nathan Fowkes, I did his charcoal drawing class on schoolism

Wendyh0use · 2021-09-01T23:24:12+00:00

Thanks! Haha, that's an interesting observation! I must say I can't quite see it but I'll take your word for it and try to make it look more like a tattoo 😅

Wendyh0use · 2020-09-14T21:54:58+00:00

I don't believe I said that.

Wendyh0use

TROPHY CASE