Karen's 3rd Thursday painting

Bobby Aquitania

@kazgirl This is a fun piece, but you asked for suggestions to make it better. So, that is what I intend to provide even though the piece, as it stands now, is strong.

I would continue to work on the finish of the harnesses. The bears have great texture and variety of strokes. I think the harnesses look a bit pasted on. Find a way to add the same painterly strokes.

The house in the back has very hard edges. Try softening the edges so they do not pull your focus away from the foreground.

Try darkening the background elements so they are closer in value to the night sky.

The muzzle on the closest polar bear looks off. This is a tough angle with all the foreshortening. Look for more reference and rework the muzzle.

@kazgirl I made the changes Sean suggested... up to you of course if you want to add them, but I think your original face has more character.

Kevin Longueil

Wow......seriously wow - only thing I can find is possibly add a hint of a shadow on the ground below the floating bear closest to us - you totally nailed this prompt!

Rob Smith

Great looking image! I agree with all of the other comments and critiques. I think a little "sparkle" of illustrated magic would really help the viewer.

kazgirl

Thanks for all the great suggestions and compliments. I'll take them all on board as I finish this piece up. Thanks

kazgirl

@Bobby-Aquitania Thanks for your hard work. I think I might keep the bears face the same. I might tweek it slightly, but he isn't anatomically correct, so I'm more interested in his character.

kazgirl

@seanwelty Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Sean. I'll take a look at your points and improve on the image. Thanks

shinjifujioka

@kazgirl Sweet image! I really like how the are so polar bears are full of life. And they feel really soft and fluffy.

shinjifujioka

*I really like how the polar bears are so full of life.

Wow...not sure how that bad grammar escaped me.

This post is deleted!

mattramsey

So good! I'll second (third? fourth?) the idea of adding a shadow under the bears and magical "dust".

I really like how the snow shows a path where the elf was dragged.

Dulcie

I agree with all the comments already posted, this is a stunning piece, great work! I love the colour choices and the way you've got all the warm/cool shades incorporated in the snow, and poor Rudolph in the stable. Really beautiful!

bharris

I agree about adding some magic to the floating bears, but this is just so stellar. I can see this image in a bookstore already.

kazgirl

Here's an update. I really like it. Let me know what you think. Thanks

Rich Green

@kazgirl The magic really completes this piece for me. It really adds to the wonderment and the expressions on the bears. I love the tension in the lines as Santa and the elf hold them from floating away. Really fun piece!

Stephanie Hider

@kazgirl So lovely. Just gorgeous!

Dulcie

Really beautiful piece, the sparkles complete it and really help to explain the floating bears. Wonderful!

Thrace

This is truly a magical piece and it really looks like a page from a Christmas book! I love it!!

DanetteDraws

This is absolutely beautiful @kazgirl wow you'll definitely be one of the winners!

I love the magical stardust addition - I wonder if it's a bit too much on the warm side though? I find the yellow a bit distracting. For me, I'd love to see it be more on the white/cool side.

bharris

@kazgirl This turned out so very perfect! Beautiful job on the magic sparkles!!

kazgirl

Thanks everyone. You have all been a real help.