[Bibbit]

I don't post much, as I am mostly ashamed at my lack of skills amongst such an accomplished group of artists, but I really liked this pic. This is my Basset Hound. The background is cheesy, but landscapes and backgrounds are not in my skill set. I'm working on it, though.

The main problem with this, I think, was that I couldn't quite capture the correct angle of his head. Comments and crits are welcome.



And the reference...

[sparth]

this is a very decent dog portrait. you could have darkened some areas a little more, as well as define some more contrasts. for exemple, around the eye, or on the ear.
another little thing: as you mentionned, that oversaturated blue sky gives a rather "simple" mood to the picture. it removes a bit of the originality: if you replaced it by something less conventional, it will work better according to me. would be better to remove it
nice job, it's a moody and majestic portrait.

[ July 05, 2002: Message edited by: sparth ]

[Reid]

I really enjoy the dog! You did an awesome job capturing the droopy, doleful basset hound look. The texture on the ear is amazing�I can really feel the velvety fur. A little more contrast at the bottom of the ear would help it look as though it�s falling against his head instead of attached to him. His chest is too white without any detail, and it�s a horrible detraction from the wonderful darker-colored fur. (Plus he�s an older dog, so I doubt throughout his years of drooling that he managed to keep such a vivid white coat!) I agree completely with Sparth about the background�it really detracts from the dog, which is the best part of the picture. I love the dog. I have a basset hound, too, and I know how unbelievably hard they are to paint!

And for no reason at all, this is my basset, Abby.


[ July 05, 2002: Message edited by: Reid ]

[EmKah]

about the head...

dont paint what you know, paint what you see... and be very unforgiving. If you get the feeling a line is a bit wrong, erease it.

btw. same works for backgrounds...

mk

[EviLToYLeT]

yah i think emkah makes a good point - *points at the eyes* though a good work .... some parts just scream out not a dog.

[Bibbit]

Thanks for all the great comments, guys.

As to the eyes, I did enhance the visable one purposefully. In the pic, it was just dark brown and there is a lot more life in his eyes than that. So I took license. I understand the comment about drawing what you see, though. I try to work on that.

Another thing I will try to work on is the background. I'm doing a landscape right now, hoping to get more of a knack for doing inanimate objects. After that, I'll try to do something as a background for my pup.

Thanks again.