The quilt

[Allan Rahbek]

Holly

This is a complex composition and I think that you have come a long way.

You can get a more convincing light effect if you gray down the bricks at the fireplace wall, and also the rag doll. A darker value on the wall will make the fire flame too.

Allan

[Linda Brandon]

Hi Holly,

I get a feeling of cozy warmth and peace when I look at this. You've portrayed this feeling very well and the look on your subject's face is perfect.

The only thing which troubles me is the composition, specifically the empty (though it's brick) expanse between her head and the doll on the mantle. I'd like to see them tied in with something to connect them though I can't think of anything at the moment. You might think also of eliminating everything in the background altogether, except for the fire. Hmmm. I'll have to think about this one.

Did you do a thumbnail sketch before you started? I'm working on a big complicated painting at the moment - lots of furniture and "stuff" in the background - and I've decided to make painting-size cartoons on heavy paper with charcoal. Things which look okay sketched at 3" x 5" don't always look okay when scaled up to painting size. I'm now on my second cartoon with this painting and I'm getting impatient but I'm forcing myself not to try to wing it.

Now that I'm using expensive linens and panels I am trying really hard to correct any huge problems early on and save myself tons of grief down the road. Composition is a big, big issue and isn't addressed often enough, either in art classes or in the Forum.

Here's what you might do: take a look at art books for tips on how other artists have handled this kind of compositional setup. If I run across an idea I'll post one for you.