This is an unfinished oil painting of mine, excuse the bad photo which is darker than the painting is. Also there is more edge to the painting which the photo cuts off, the big cloud actually extends its edge right to the corner. It has been siting around drying for a couple of weeks and I haven't done anything more to it. I am considering lowering the horses head into a more submissive stance as my mother has suggested (my greatest critic).
What do you think? Should I lower the horses head? Should I keep it in outline or add details? I intend to add some highlights to the figures after everything. The sky and clouds are probably finished, are there any other things you think would improve it? All your thoughts will be much appreciated!
I think it looks great! :) Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nela!! :)
DeleteOoh....I really, really like this, Felicity!
ReplyDeleteI sort of like the horse's head up because it gives it a wild, adventurous feel to it. I think lowering the horse's head would make it a more quiet, contemplative/just loving nature sort of feel.
So it depends on what you're going for, I think. I'd vote for the wild, adventurous look though. :) (buut then again, I'm not much of an artist. ;)
Thank you Hannah! That's just what I was wondering, which look or feel would work best. And I'm leaning to keeping it how it is. :)
DeleteWow, I love this! I think that the horse's lifted, alert stance fits naturally with the dramatic sun rays. A lowered head would make me feel like the pair was was ending a ride, and the horse a little tired, which would work, but give a different feel to the painting. The way it is now, I feel like the girl has just spontaneously swung up onto the horse's back, captured by the moment as the sun gleamed through the clouds and cast mysterious shadows over the hills, and thus the horse is fresh and alert and ready for adventure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Abigail. I love your wording! You've described the story perfectly. :)
DeleteI like the horse's head where it is, with its ears pricked forward it appears to me that the horse has just raised its head to study something in the distance and it seems 'right' where it is.
ReplyDeleteWith such a dramatic sky/backdrop it might seem a bit strange if horse and rider were oblivious to it :-)
Thank you for your thoughts, Sue.
DeleteIt seems that the general opinion is the same! I'm glad and I now intend to keep it as is. I don't really like reworking a painting anyway!! :)