...and into the black 5-1 Update: holy crit

[loomer]

Ok -since it's Crit Week I thought I would subject myself to some cruel comments and abuse.

This is a piece I've been working on for a bit...and it's starting to come to a finishing point, but I am a little uncertain. Thought I would put it up here for your viewing pleasure (or displeasure). Let's have it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/saltmann/rtrtrt.jpg >:D

[Prehistoric]

very nice.

i like the simple color scheme.

my only crit would be to maybe add some higher contrast highlights to the figures closest to the front. think it would help to define the upper left corner as the darkest part of the painting.

[loomer]

Thanks for the crit...
I'll definetly consider it. I guess my problem lies in that I wanted the foreground characters to be very low-key - but that might be fighting with the dark area in the background. I gotta drink some coffee .....

[Blue Sphere]

Quick crit is that they light guy in the middle really isn't holding his sword.

[Soultek]

Yes, i like the style and the color scheme alot. The part where the foremost figure's legs seem to disapear into the cloud though seems a bit sharp. I think that the cloud in the foreground should have a bit more.. opacity.. so perhaps the figure looks as though he is fading into it. atm the cloud seems to "thick". well, that's the best way i know to explain it. hope you understood my jabber, hehe.

good work m8.

[dogfood]

While I like a lot of what's going on, the composition is very chaotic. There is stuff going on all over the place (not in a good way), and it really throws the eye around the piece in an uncomfortable way. Your edge, contrast, value, and saturation are all pointing to different foci and the whole right third is wasted space right now.

I really like the conept and execution, but it's just fighting itself.

[loomer]

thanks for all the crits so far guys...I will definetly have to consider all of them.

Bluesphere - do you mean that I didn't paint it in a believable way?

Soultek - Yeah ...I definetly noticed that as well. I really should have looked at some reference before starting this. It kinda just started out as a sketch and I kept elaborating on it from there. The only reference I checked was some hawk wings.

Dogfood - Thanks for your input. I have always kind of had a wierd eye for composition...Which sometimes works for me and sometimes works against me. This time may be one of the latter. I gotta take another look for sure...

thanks again. Your crits are extremely helpful. I'll keep ya posted!

[loomer]

I posted this WIP some time ago, and just kind of put it to the side. Recently I figured, "it's not a COMPLETE piece of crap...maybe i should try and save it" - so i started reworking it (with great help from the suggestions on this board) - It's STILL not done...but I figured maybe I could benefit from another posting...crit away...please!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/saltmann/heavenlydudes_006.jpg

[dogfood]

There is certainly a lot more unity in the composition, but the two highest contrast points being on the top and bottom seems to split the action more than is really comfortable.

[look]

I like the details on the muscules and wings. The figure in the center really break the flow in my opinion. While all the other angels are flying forward, that one fall back, and seems to be disturb the overall flows. Also the two figures in the foreground are on the same plane, which seems to take away the layer and depth in the painting. It may help if you change one of their tone and lightness, so that one of the figure is brought to a different depth and layer compare to the other, and it'll help to build a connection between the angels that's closer to foreground to the angels further away.

[loomer]

Thanks guys - awesome crits...Some of which I was unaware of and some that I suspected could be possible flaws.

- I think my biggest flaw in this whole piece was the lack of preplanning. I was just playing aroun with sketches and just dove into the painting. To be honest..that is my favorite way to work.I love the spontaneity and element of surprise - yet, when I am responsible for so much error and unnneccessary re-working - I almost think I should find a middle ground between the two approaches. Ok- enough painter philosophy - more work!!!