Essentials Cafe

I have taken pictures of my friend Michael's swans at his farm, and painted the best three in three diferent ways. here's one: I used the simple watercolor brush for it and a saturated palette. The others are in my gallery. How'd I do, Dianne?

lovely composition, but was saving as a gif deliberate? It can help with some graphics, and I am only asking not criticising.

Hi Pyra,  How lovely that I have inspired you, I feel quite honoured.  I like this picture, you have done well. I'm not sure whether because of the way you have uploaded this photo on the site or not perhaps we are missing some of the detail?  If not I would like to suggest to you to allow a little more definition in the area of the birds neck and face. I'm always going on about a focal point and with a person or an animal where (we are generally speaking ) we are looking to the face for the focal point, it helps an image to have it a bit sharper to help the eye go straight to where you want it to go. The areas of lesser interest detail is not quite so important.  Do you follow me here?

In no way am I trying to critisise your work as I think you have done a lovely job.  Perhaps do a 'save as' for this one and have a go at what I have suggested and re-post it.  I would love to see what you come up with. And would be happy to offer my opinion. 

I am no professional Pyra, so my advice is only based on what I feel works for me.  I'd be very pleased with the outome of this if I was you.

 Yes, Toulouse, the saving to gif is deliberate, as "dithering' the colors gives me smoother transitions than jpeg. As a matter of fact, I believe that the Corel Painter Wow! book recommends this format also.

You are correct, Dianne in saying that; it is true that the face of a figure is often the focal point, and requires more detail. However, with my pal "George" here, it would be a waste of time; in detail, he is a bit on the ugly side! However, I will try what you have suggested. Who knows?

Nice image, a bit of a lower composition to be level with the swansa head may have helped a little but i like it. Cant believe a book is recommending gif over jpeg. You lose so many colours from the palette and the colour space is totally wasted. This is something ive never heared of before !

Okay, Dianne; Here is my second try with "George"! I used the soft cloner to bring back some detail, and then used a tiny just water brush a bit to give back some of the watercolor look. I think it is better!!

Yes Pyra, it's perfect exactly what I would have done myself.  Well done.

Much better - ready for framing!

I love watching swans and think they are natural posers with all that grace, especially when they fluff up their wings.

I think you have captured a lot of their character in your swan paintings Pyra and also shown us something of your own talent with the different styles you have done.

I do like having more facial detail as dianne suggested as it gives me a point of focus.