Barely There

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Comment by Larry M. Williams on June 26, 2013 at 10:12

Thanks for the nice comment, CJ, and the friend request too.

Comment by Michael J. Severin on May 28, 2013 at 8:05

Your triangle idea is fine, but all three of your elements share the spotlight.  If you still want the triangle of the 3 elements, put the bear just peaking over that crest on the right side (behind the bear) ....Now you would have a story!!  The sun is your focal point, but then the eye moves around to the subtle other elements ..we will catch the bear peaking out and that will stimulate our thinking process.  The bear, being behind the ridge, will be the secondary focal point.  The difference between an animal painting and a landscape with an animal is that,  in the latter, the animal is hidden behind a bush or tree

Comment by Larry M. Williams on May 27, 2013 at 15:19

Thanks, Michael.  I do see what you are saying.  After looking at it for awhile, I find my eye moving from the bear to the reflection and back.  What I was trying for was a triangle of the sun, reflection, and the bear.  More thought on composition is in order.  I really do appreciate your insight and suggestions.  Thanks again.  Larry

Comment by Michael J. Severin on May 27, 2013 at 12:20

Hi Larry.  Your color, values, and light are wonderful!! ..the sparkling water ...great!  In a painting, there is usually a focal point AND a center of interest ...the center of interest kind of lays around the focal point.  The center of interest stimulates the mind, while the focal point stimulates the eye ..together, they tell the story and keep the viewer engaged.  In your painting, the focal point (the sun) is in one area, and you have another focal point (the bear) off to the right ..away from the focal area.  This presents a problem for the viewer, because we have a strong stimulant for the eye (the setting sun),  and because people and animals are a very heavy weight, we want to focus on the bear also!! ....we cannot do both and it confuses the viewer as to what you want us to look at and how you want us to be entertained.  If the bear were on the other side of the bank, near the focal area, then you would have a center of interest ...people would say, wow, a beautiful sunset ..hey wait a minute, there is a bear, what is it doing? ..The viewers minds would then be stimulated ..your sunset and bear would be more visually related with the story you are telling.  I sure hope you understood all that, not quite sure if I explained it correctly?  The viewer seeing your painting says:  "Wow, a bear ..Wow, a sunset,  Wow, a Bear, etc" ..and then they don't pay attention to your original concept and story.

Comment by Silvana M Albano on May 27, 2013 at 11:20

Love this! It is beautiful!