Monday, July 27, 2009

A Fall sketch


I know it's a bit early for Fall but I am working on images for my next mailer. I need to decide wether to leave the boy in the background. My hubby thinks it would make a more dynamic piece if I left him out. What do you all think?

12 comments:

Paige Keiser said...

Hmm good question! I liked this one immediately as is, but wouldn't hurt to play around with the different elements in photoshop. That's what I did with my Rhino picture and I'm so glad I discovered a new way to lay it out. But to be honest, composition has never been my strong suit - I can pull off a good one but only after lots of teeth grinding, hair pulling and crying lol.

I really like how you have her hands but the way. They're actually in the position of the fingers being back instead of straight up in the air. People often underestimate how much the hands impact an entire picture. I treat them as separate characters sometimes. So many possibilities for expression. Sorry about the mini-essay lol.

Anonymous said...

Okay well I am with Paige at first glance I really love the illustration as is and I noticed the hands and fingers immediately too. I love what Paige said about the fingers being treated like separate characters.

Okay so I hope you don't mind but I copied and pasted it into Photoshop. . .and. . .I have to say with out the boy the piece is wonderful and quit strong. I am shocked. I think I like it better. . .

I love to mess around in Photoshop with the layout too.

Phyllis do let us see what you come up and how it looks when you paint it.

I think I am going to do an 8.5 x 11 mailer of my latest book for my next mailer.

Gee must be a gabby night for everyone.

Phyllis Harris said...

Thanks Paige and Sherry! Great input! Very helpful.

Kelly H-Y said...

It's never to early for Autumn! :-) (My favorite season!) I love the illustration ... it's so hard to tell if it would be better without him ... he kind of does take the focus away from the girl a bit, but I'm not sure what the story is about, so maybe that's not a bad thing! It's going to be a great illustration either way ... can't wait to see it in all it's colorful, autumn glory!

Anonymous said...

Awesome!! I love her adorable smile etc!! Actually, I like the boy in the background!

Lynnea said...

I sort of agree with Brad, sweetie.

Love,
Lynnea

Tom Barrett said...

The boy grabs your attention now because his lines are darker. Once you have it painted, with the girl having the stronger color, it should turn into a wonderful promo piece!

Viv said...

I think you should leave to boy in to create the fact that she isn't just "alone" enjoying the wonderful day, but her brother (or cousin, or friend) is there to enjoy it with her--however, I do not want you to do what you feel is "wrong!" I'm sure whatever you do will make the piece even better than it already is. :)

Monica Rosier said...

Hi Phyllis,

I do like this piece, it shows the girl's contentment and joy. I also understand you wondering about the boy. My thoughts on this:
- would it help if he was placed a little bit more on the left (his left foot is a bit close to the girl's jacket and that spot catches my eye's attention which I think is not where I should be led).

- I strongly agree with the note that once the boy disappears more into the distance through appropriate coloring, priorities will be (re-)established.

- I very much like the arch made with the leaves (both out of the large leaves from the girl and the small leaves from the boy... maybe that could be some sort of connection/transition?

Best wishes,
Monica Bigler

Al said...

I love this sketch--your thoughts about the boy in the background: I sort of agree with Monica about his foot near her jacket; and with Viv that he should stay, but whatever you do it'll be amazing--ask usual!!! :)

Al said...

Ooops, sorry- I meant "--as usual" not "ask usual" pardon my mistake!! :)

Anthony VanArsdale said...

I think this is wonderful! Composition wise I like the boy in the picture. Oooh now you've got me thinking about Fall colors. I love the changing seasons!