Wip moment before feedback on ideas

[demotlj]

I'll go against the grain and confuse the issue but I like #2 and #3 better because it looks more like the dog is "caught in the act" which lends to the tension of the picture. They are also more dynamic since the compositions are basically diagonal in direction whereas #1 is more symmetrical and thus more stable and calm. Since the prompt is the "moment before," the dynamism and tension of the second and third compositions I think fits better because the eye goes from the dog to the door and it looks as if the dog suddenly froze mid-mess.

[MichaelaH]

I think it depends what Marine wants us to see, I thought it is about how the dog is looking forward to his Buddy, who is coming home or did she want to see us how the dog is "caught in the act" destroying the house...If it is the firtst, than I am for the picture nr. 1, if it is "caught in the act" than like @demotlj said, 2 and 3 is better.

[marine]

Thanks guys for getting back to me!
I totally see what you mean @demotlj about the others comps being more dynamic and I've hesitated a long time before choosing n°1. My initial idea was about the dog waiting for its master to come back home for a walk, whereas in the meantime it put the place upside-down...

I will now try to finish this one but not sure how to yet!

[marine]

Hello,

I've been working on my piece, experimenting with Procreate and a more loose style than what I'm used to do. Lots of things that don't satisfied me like I hoped it would look more loose than that but I guess I should go step by step And I'm not used to paint so...

I'm not sure about the light/shadows, anyone would have feedback on it? Or on anything else really!

Many thanks in advance!

Just saw that I forgot the leash in the dog's mouth!!! Will add it soon!

[Chip Valecek]

@marine As far as the shadows go, i would watch your occlusion shadows. For example the carrot toy and the boot almost seem to float since they are lacking the occlusion shadow. Is the light coming from outside the door or is there a light source above that is on? I ask because the shadows seem to be coming from the light source of the door but the actual lighting looks to be coming from above. I would also remove the shadows from the water on the ground.

I would not be happy to come home and see my dog trashed the house.

[Coreyartus]

I wonder, @marine , what the lighting would look like if it had more contrast? If the shadows were deeper, it might make the light from the door stand out a bit more. Right now, because the walls are generally a solid high key, the light source gets lost as @Chip-Valecek mentions. I wonder if having a strongly pronounced light source might be really important for the story in this image.

Creating a multiply or color burn layer with a vignette effect around the edges might be a simple step toward helping make the light from the door seem stronger, perhaps, but I wouldn't rely on that alone. Your value studies imply that the wall is as dark as the floor (if not darker), creating a much more rigid pool of light from the door that has an incredible impact on the suspense in the image. I'd lean into that--it feels (to me) that was a good instinct.

Just my 2¢. It's a great idea!!! Your perspective lines really direct the attention of the viewer toward the door--well done!! All it needs is a bit of tweaking--the foundation is really really strong!!!

[MOO]

I like the dog waiting for his master but I would change the angle a bit so it's not smack in the center and maybe the horizon line should not be straight across.

[marine]

Thank you @Chip-Valecek and @Coreyartus, you're right the light source looks confusing.
In my thumbnail the light source is coming from the door so I should definitely darken the wall and extend the shadows. I will experiment and try to make the reflection on the floor more obvious too.
That was the first time really doing value studies and I didn't think much while doing them but it made sense. I think I got lost doing the decor of the interior and choosing colours and furnitures

@Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen thanks, but at that point I won't change the comp

Thanks again for your feedbacks, helps a lot!

[Whitney Simms]

Just catching up on the treads for this month. Soooo glad you went with the dog. And I went back and read where you missed the leash. I was thinking about that. I really liked the drama created with the area not in the direct light from the door pretty dark. Like most of the messy was out of eye sight as soon as the owner came home. That she would see the dog and then see the mess.

Overall, I think it’s coming along nicely!

[marine]

Hello,

Following @Chip-Valecek and @Coreyartus feedbacks, I've worked on my light and shadows. I wasn't sure how to do it though, do you think that's enough?

Thanks in advance!

[Chip Valecek]

@marine looks awesome! It reads so much better now with the shadows.

[Coreyartus]

Wow--great work!! There's so much more atmosphere there--it really helps with the suspense. Good job!!!

[MOO]

@marine I like it a lot! I need to learn shadow and light yet. Quite an accomplishment.

[marine]

Thank you so much! @Chip-Valecek @Coreyartus @Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen

[sigross]

@marine This is a good angle as it creates tension. But you have made the owner invisible with her shadow. The light has to get past the owner to enter the room. So there would be a silhouette through the door pane.

[marine]

@sigross You're right! Thanks! I'll try to add the owner's shadow, hopefully it won't break the tension created by the shape of dog against the bright floor...

[marine]

I've added the shadow of the owner on the floor, I tried to not make it too strong. But does it feel right with the perspective? I feel like the top of her body should be larger but then there won't be much light left on the floor...

[Jason Bowen]

Hey I think your painting is great. You might find this quick paint over helpful. I brought your character out of the shadow and I warmed your light up a bit with curves. also I toned down the shadows on the things on the floor. Its just a thought might help you

[sigross]

@marine Being realistic with light does throw up hurdles to a composition! Another option is to create another light source to light up your character. Or use catch light on his ears and outline. The outside light would still spill onto the dogs face and body. Use a bit of artistic license.

[sigross]

That light coming through the glass would spill onto stuff as light doesn't just stay in that box of the door pane. Here's a still from Spielberg movie Lincoln as he loves to play with light.