So its probably been close to 2 years (at least) since I've made an attempt to paint. I'm far from an expert, and, since I'm sure there are some design students on here, I'm quite open to constructive criticism.

I don't know if I should add anything...but for some reason I just think something is missing.

8/26/2006 11:44:32 AM

i would venture to say that the bird is so off-center that that's why it seems there's something missing, it's the empty sky of the bottom left corner. some more spacing around the top and right sides would have helped that some.

appears well done to me though, gg

8/26/2006 11:53:20 AM

do you think that maybe matting it, by using the extra 2 inches on the right (and covering up some on the left) would help to center it?

I think I messed up by making the bird too large

8/26/2006 11:54:59 AM

the only thing about doing that is your bird's wing tip is way over on the left. the more you take from the bottom, the less of that post you'll see.

if you're not worried about having a square frame... you could go for a portrait shape, take a little off the right side... get the same spacing between the post and right edge as with the left wing and left edge, and add some spacing to the top side... just IMO

8/26/2006 11:59:12 AM

hm...would adding a second post at least balance out some of the space? (although, gosh I'm not sure I could reproduce the colors...)

8/26/2006 12:01:27 PM

I like it. Leave it as is.

First rule of being an artist (vs. a designer) is that as long as YOU can justify it, it's "right".

That said, if you want more balanced or dramatic compositions (this one is definitely right and bottom heavy), work off of good photographs to start with. Get yourself a national geographic or nature magazine, and either paint from those photos, or get the compositional ideas from there.

Art is to make you happy, not someone else, so as long as you like it, it's GREAT.

8/26/2006 12:32:46 PM