EASEL OF Joe Bellofatto
I am open to critique
I WOULD LIKE HELP WITH
Here are three of a number of concepts I am working on to do as oil paintings. The first two are simply digital studies using my references photos to construct a digital image based on my original sketch. The third is a finished cartoon that will be mounted on a panel for me to then begin painting. Any input on any aspect would be appreciated. Thanks.
I love the concept. Though, I feel like the image is quite flat. (unless that is your intention?) Almost all the trees are on the same plane with very similar trunk thicknesses and all the Nymphs are the same size and plane as well. Make better use of your foreground and let some things fade to the back as well. Overlap. Consider clumping the figures and vegetation a bit more and leave some quiet gaps for the eye to rest in. The figures generally look good. The upright one 2nd from the right looks a bit elongated and the head of the one on the far left peeking out of the water looks a bit distorted (intentional?) The man shoulders are kinda scrunched up around his ears, that can work if it’s the expression you are going for, but I would suggest checking your reference for the right arm (his left) it looks a bit awkward and stiff. I particularly like the draping of his clothing below the belt ties. Good luck!
I agree with the other commentator. Most of the drawing and figure work is good, the main problem is that the composition is very flat. Bring some of the nymphs closer to the viewer. Maybe put one very close to the human figure so we can understand the scale a bit better. Are they meant to be small creatures? it feels like they should be, but the skulls in the riverbed indicate that they’re human sized. You can probably do a lot of this work in Photoshop, by cutting the figures out individually and moving them about the canvas. Then you could print out the new composition and light box it.
Hope this helps. Good luck.