Need some help from

[mdcrossbow]

You all out west.
I've been asked to do a painting of Elk so this is my 1st Elk painting. I would like some constructive criticism. I'm halfway home on this. I need to know if you all like the composition.

 

[guppie9]

Constructive criticism?????

Ummmmmmm......yeah......how come you haven't framed it and sent it to me to hang up in my house yet???

Dude, that is freakin' fantastic!!!

 

[mdcrossbow]

I still have 6-8 hours of detail work so If I am going to make changes to the format this is the time to do it.

BTW the Eastern RMEF is who I am tring to get this done for.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

Heck it's Great....now bust up one of those tines and make him real! John

 

[ERSS]

Looks great, post another pic when you finish....
Have you done other wildlife paintings?

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Nice perspective. Excellent rendering. Stuff looks real. Don't over-do it or add a bunch of garish colors that don't fit. Can I get a signed copy for free? Cheapskate Dave.

 

[DaveHawk]

Dave I will have about 50 prints made but not for free sorry.

ERSS This is my 1st painting of any animal, this was my 1st elk drawing, pen & ink

 

[ERSS]

Very impressive,
Which RMEF chapter is going to benefit from your work?

 

[ashersdad]

To my untrained eye, that looks excellent. Great talent.

 

[mdcrossbow]

ERSS, Eastern here in Md. I would like to get involved with others. Seems to be a great way to start getting my work out there.

 

[mdcrossbow]

Up date on the elk pic

Work last night on this and I focused very well but I sleep only 2 hours due to taking a Strattra after 6 PM That realy sucks.

Anyway I am thinking of adding a portion mountain stream to introduce yet another movement.

What do you all think?

 

[MarvB]

Ask Big Sky...Troy has forgot more about art than the rest of us "know".
Looks great to my unedumacated eyes!

 

[mdcrossbow]

I hope he would give me some ideas. I am leaning towards introducing a creek but I have reservations about it.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

DaveHawk, I think I understand the artistic delema you're grappling with. I used to draw fairly well but gave that up in favor of learning to play drums, guitar and bass (in that order). I'm far from being a prodigy when either writing or playing music, but I'm accomplished enough to know when not to "overplay." There's a great feeling of power and awe when I'm able to burn through a minor or major 5th scale so fast and accurately that I crack myself up. But when I listen to the playback I think; "Know what? I'm overplaying. So what if I can burn off a bunch of notes -it doesn't fit."
Got an idea: do a quick 2nd sketch and draw the creek in. If you don't like what you see, don't add the stream to the final rendering. You'll know if it "fits" or not.
I really can't tell you whether or not you should add the mountain spring or not. What I'm trying to say in my longwinded way is: only (play or) paint what fits. I'm comparing music with your art; they're somewhat comparable. I can't stand bass players who solo over the vocal portion of a song -it's almost as bad having no rythum, no sence of melody or playing nothing but flat 7ths all over the place because someone thinks they sound bitchin'. There's a subtle art and stately beauty to simplicity that no amount of flash can replace. But if the song (OR the subject matter) lends itself to shredding thousands of 32th notes into a single 12 bar passage, I say go ahead and burn yourself down. If the scene or subject matter you're creating screams out for more detail, movement or action add flushing quail, a waterfall or whatever. The thing is; does it fit?
Again, there's a dramatic statement to be made by keeping things simple. Your elk picture nearly takes my breath away because it looks so real. If you add anything, be sure it doesn't dilute what you've got nearly perfect so far. DD

 

[DaveHawk]

DD thanks. I follow you. I worked on it this evening for about 3 hours and decided not to add the water and just work on ground cover. It is subdued and will only be appreciated in viewing the actual picture. But not the less I do have to know when to stop.

 

[Wally Dog]

Very nice, if you look closely you can see Moosie's bear bait in the background!
wd