Dorothy's Gingham - looking for value opinions

[demotlj]

I like the second one best because Toto doesn't morph into the dress. Also, if you want to be true to the book, Dorothy was wearing a faded blue and white gingham dress and the darker picture doesn't look faded at all. (The lightest actually looks the most faded but I just like the second better.)

[evilrobot]

2nd one looks good to me has a nice balance.

[DOTTYP]

The second one contrasts better with toto

[Eli]

Second one

[Gary Wilkinson]

I'll go against the flow a little and say that I like the first one as it draws my attention to Dorothy. However, if it was something between 1 and 2, like a 1.5 then it would stop Toto from merging as demotlj mentioned, but still allow the focus to be her face.

[Chip Valecek]

Number 2

[KathrynAdebayo]

Thanks for sharing the progress of this piece with us. I've enjoyed it so much! The merging of Toto with Dorothy's shirt is actually what I found particularly intriguing about the earlier version, especially when the highlights on the dog were more minimal. I'd vote for #1, but if for story sake it should be lighter, maybe somewhere between 1 and 2 like Gary suggested?

[Johanna Kim]

@kevin-longueil I prefer #2's values. The dress allows for toto to stand out, but the greatest contrast is still in Dorothy's face/hair.

[demotlj]

I want to change my vote. The more I look at it, the more I find myself vacillating between 1 and 2. 1 is more unified compositionally which I like artistically while 2 is more immediately legible so I think I agree with Gary's 1.5. However, if you wait another week, I'll probably find a reason to vote for #3

[Sarah LuAnn]

Another vote for 1.5.

[Kevin Longueil]

Thank you all for sharing your opinions! - i added a 1.5 value as suggested by Gary, Kathryn, Demotlj, and Sarah Luann - I think it is a good compromise between what is good about the darkest one and the slight clarity of the second - i feel like i may be close to finish on this one (i need to tackle her arm and hands next but i don't think that they need too much work)

Thanks again! @demotlj @evilrobot @DOTTYP @Eli @Gary-Wilkinson @Chip-Valecek @KathrynAdebayo @Johanna-Kim @Sarah-LuAnn

[Chip Valecek]

@kevin-longueil I think it looks amazing! That hair on the dog, i just want to pet it.

[demotlj]

The middle one (the 1.5) is very effective and I really like that the best of all of them. Wonderful piece.

[Eli]

it looks perfect

[MOO]

@gary-wilkinson I agree, Gary. I ws thinking the same thing.

[Miriam]

I think that #3 looks the most like gingham, but it is a little too light compositionally without lightening the hair & dog. #1 makes me think of a dark green plaid.

I don't know how many changes you want to make, but some other suggestions would be:

• #2 looks like there might be a a ruffle on the sleeve, but that could be more defined by adding a little more to the outside edge. I think a ruffle could look good & would mirror the waves in her hair. (on #3 it looks like maybe a cuff?)
• Toto blending into the dress at Dorothy's waist doesn't make as much sense to me with the lighter dress. Maybe try just lightening it up a bit?

I agree with @Chip-Valecek, the detail on the fur & hair is very realistic!

[Jason Bowen]

Hey hope you don't mind the quick paint over... I moved her left eye a little to look at the camera and softened the black line around her neck... might help you out a bit

[MOO]

@kevin-longueil Looks great! Just the right amount of shading and toto looks good too.