10-11-2013, 11:28 PM
Hi Rognoll,
I like the idea behind this piece because it has a lot of potential to be a great image. Here are some thoughts:
Night scenes are difficult to paint, because there is so much going on in terms of changes to local color of objects, contrast and edges. In general the night sky is usually lighter than the landscape. It is never completely black. In fact much of the reflected illumination in a night scene is from the sky. Sometimes it is a good idea to lighten the sky a bit to increase the value range that you can use in the image. This is useful because it helps prevent your image from becoming too dark and muddy. Your image is illuminated by moonlight, so this allows us to create defined areas of light and dark. Keeping in mind that objects in the light will appear pale and desaturated, while you shadow areas will contain more saturated colors. Remember to use reflected light to help define form as well. Finally save your darkest darks for deep shadows and special accents in the image. Don't be afraid to have soft, blurred and lost edges in the shadows either. I made a small sketch to give you and idea of what I mean.
I would also like to mention that it is also a good idea to start your images with a more solid drawing. Currently the perspective in your image is not accurate. Check out Loomis' book "Successful Drawing" for some good ideas about drawing the figure in perspective and how everything relates to the horizon line. I know you didn't ask for a crit on perspective, but it is an important fundamental skill that needs to be developed to improve your drawing. Hope this helps and good luck.
I like the idea behind this piece because it has a lot of potential to be a great image. Here are some thoughts:
Night scenes are difficult to paint, because there is so much going on in terms of changes to local color of objects, contrast and edges. In general the night sky is usually lighter than the landscape. It is never completely black. In fact much of the reflected illumination in a night scene is from the sky. Sometimes it is a good idea to lighten the sky a bit to increase the value range that you can use in the image. This is useful because it helps prevent your image from becoming too dark and muddy. Your image is illuminated by moonlight, so this allows us to create defined areas of light and dark. Keeping in mind that objects in the light will appear pale and desaturated, while you shadow areas will contain more saturated colors. Remember to use reflected light to help define form as well. Finally save your darkest darks for deep shadows and special accents in the image. Don't be afraid to have soft, blurred and lost edges in the shadows either. I made a small sketch to give you and idea of what I mean.
I would also like to mention that it is also a good idea to start your images with a more solid drawing. Currently the perspective in your image is not accurate. Check out Loomis' book "Successful Drawing" for some good ideas about drawing the figure in perspective and how everything relates to the horizon line. I know you didn't ask for a crit on perspective, but it is an important fundamental skill that needs to be developed to improve your drawing. Hope this helps and good luck.
-Sketchbook-
"... for drawing is a thinking person's art." - Walt Stanchfield.
"... for drawing is a thinking person's art." - Walt Stanchfield.