Alone (oil sketch)

[MarkHarchar]

Hi all,
I am working on this painting and I was hoping to get some opinions. It is a simple concept that I want to explore. The subject isn't complicated, but I want the piece to hit an emotion nerve. I want it it to convey alone-ness, desolation, cold, unforgiving...

I chose all cool colors for the environment and the only warm tones are in the figure. I want an impressionistic look to the piece. I went with a slightly longer picture plane to try to convey more emptiness? Any thoughts on this composition before I start the full scale work?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone.jpg

[Anid Maro]

You could probably fill in a lot of the empty snow space with some objects. I know that's kinda what you're going for, but you could probably throw in some dead tree branches, maybe some rocks jutting up, etc. That way it fills in the space a bit but it still feels unforgiving and desolate.

[NathanLong]

I certainly get the idea that he's alone, but the emotion you're looking for is being undercut by the pose of your figure. With his hands on his hips he looks almost jaunty. Like he's enjoying himself. You need to find a pose that shows better how he feels about being alone.

Here's how a master did it. This is a painting by Howard Pyle, the father of American illustration. It is called Marooned.

And below that is how another master did it. Frank Frazetta's Stranded.

[MarkHarchar]

Nathan, I see what you are saying. I will consider an different pose. This is why it is good to do a quick oil sketch (I am finding) before jumping into a full scale work. I am not convinced I have my perspective correct. I think I need to do a couple alternative thumbnails.

[NathanLong]

Try some pencil sketches before you get to the oil sketch. Paper and pencil is a lot cheaper than canvas and oil.

[Professor Az]

I would agree with a rework of the pose. Right now, the impression I get is that the figure is walking towards us, yet the footprints would suggest otherwise. As far as you perspective is concerned, the slope of the hill is fine, as indicated by the shading of the drifting snow. However, placing the horizon at the figure's eye level might help a bit. Having just a bit more detail on the figure might help convey that feeling of desolation.

Just some suggestions. I like the way you have used your negative space on this.

:confident

[MarkHarchar]

Since I cannot immediately modify the figure and since I was not totally happy with the perspective, I used good old photoshop to make some mods.
One puts the figure farther away in the distance.
One puts the horizon lower making a flatter plane.
One lowers it more.
One angles the horizon to accentuate the "mountain" effect.
The last one shows the "mountain" effect and now I am envisioning another mountain peak in distance behind the present slope.

Thoughts?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone5.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/hylandr2/alone6.jpg

[Sirkenneth]

I really like where its going- I like how its oil too. Im starting oils this week. Im excited. Keep up the good work.

[Dose206]

I like the second to last on your latest update. If I were you I'd take that one and run with it. And seconds on the advice about changing the pose.

But good luck with this one. I'm in the process of finishing a piece that has some similarities to this one and it was tough. Can't wait to see more!