Thursday 10 February 2011

Time to choose

Time for a long overdue 'Illustration Friday' submission, as my current piece fits this weeks theme.
Last week I finished a painting, of the Fox and Magpie, the bones of whose story has been rattling around in my head for a while. The story is not quite there yet - each time I throw the bones, the pattern comes out a little clearer, but in the meantime the images are shrieking to be given life on paper.
So, I painted them. But I wasn't happy with the result, so I decided to 'reverse' the composition and try again. I like todays painting much better. Curiously,in the studio, everyone else disagreed and preferred the first.
I'm not telling you which is which, but I'd be interested to know which you like best!



*** Thankyou to everyone who gave their opinion :) The bottom picture was the first one painted, and it was the top one which I preferred. Interestingly the majority of you agreed with that, but of the people who have compared them 'in the flesh' so to speak, it has been the lower one which was liked better. I'm wondering if this is simply due to the way I scanned them and uploaded the images. *****

27 comments:

Rima Staines said...

Beautiful work Danielle... the first gets my vote :)
Delighted you are zinging with ideas! x

Amanda said...

I like the second picture. For two sneaky, devious creatures, they look to friendly and chatty in the first one! lol

Jenny said...

I agree with Rima - the first one. I like the balance of the two bodies compositionally, but even more I like that they are looking inwards, each to the other. It creates a dynamic relationship that I don't feel as much in the second piece.

The second piece with the forms echoing each other - creates a different tension, that appeals less to me.

Terra said...

I prefer the first painting which is beautifully balanced.

Lady Godiva said...

They are both lovely, but the first one really catches my eye.

De la Renaissance said...

Both are beautiful Danielle! My vote would be with painting #1. It feels more balanced through out the entire picture.

In painting #1 the head of the Magpie leads my eye to the Fox. In painting #2 both the Magpie and Fox tails seem to lead my eye away and off of the painting.

Freyalyn said...

I prefer the top painting - it seems more logical, better shaped - the eyes goes round and round, whereas in the lower painting I followed the magpie's back and neck straight down and out of the painting. I don't know if the wind'w's important, but it seems more significant in the top painting too.

Windsongs and Wordhoards said...

Hi Danielle,
I personally like the first composition... such a lovely painting, just seems nicely balanced and more resolved to me. I love the character and liveliness that comes acoross in the two creatures. Fantastic!
Carrie :)

Laume said...

From a purely compositional point of view, I prefer the first one.

Clare Wassermann said...

FOR ME IT'S THE FIRST. THE COLOURS ARE SUPER

Karen said...

I also prefer the first pic. I prefer it's composition. I do wonder what that magpie and fox are up to? ;) x

Patty said...

I prefer the first one. It shows
a gentler side of each creature and
both have a not all deserved reputation.

Your paintings are wonderful!

Velma Bolyard said...

definitely the first. the second has the fox being rather, er, risque.
and i hope the ponies are happy and well.

A mermaid in the attic said...

Beautiful Danielle! I'll have to agree with everyone else, I do like the first one best too. Your Magpie in that one makes me smile, it looks a lot like our Magpies (I'm not sure whether they are related or not, but I suppose that's why early settlers here called them Magpies). Do English Magpies sing? Ours do, they have the most wonderful warbling song that is filled with joy, especially when they all sing together in the morning. They are cheeky and full of character too, one of my favourite birds!

Joanna said...

Hard call. I like the second because it's a more unconventional view, but in the end I think the first works better although I find the window a bit distracting.

Camilla La Mer said...

The first one!!!! I like that they are interacting. They just feel too separate in the second one. Which probably means that the second one is the one you prefer based on your comments!!! They are both lovely.

Camilla

Heidi said...

Gorgeous paintings, they truly are.
I do like the balance in the first to be sure.
The second one is quite unusual though and depending on what the storyline is around that picture, the diagonal tension in both characters is quite intriguing and heightens that something is about to happen.

If either painting is not matching up with any part of the story line in particular, then compositionally, the first gets my vote, with the bodies forming a closed loop.

Phew. All that analysis hurt my brain.

Diana said...

I like them both, the first one looks as if they are scheming, whereas the second looks as if it is leading on to something.

Judy Adamson said...

Difficult choice!

I prefer the fox in the second one - it seems very 'fox-like'! But the magpie rather cuts the image in two diagonally.

So, from the point of view of the composition, I think the first one works better.

Carolee said...

I'd have to say the first, although they're both lovely. :)

~ Carolee

Elderberry-Rob said...

I like the first best, because they are interacting but also just the clarity of the pictute and the detail and I like the way I can see the bird's back. there's plenty happening.

Pattypan said...

Both are lovely pieces of work, but I think the first one just has that little extra. That is the one I am drawn to, but yet again I like the angle of the second one heads down tail/feathers in air - almost companionable.

You have a lovely gift look forward to the tale of the Magpie and the Fox.

Pattypan

xx

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Beautiful Danielle! I really love the first one.

Virginia said...

Hi Danielle,
I am in awe of your delicate pictures, and the way your animals show such presence.
I'm also keen to hear how the ponies have survived the winter, and what changes spring will bring for you all.
Thanks for sharing your life on the blog.

Trekky said...

They are both fantastic. I think I prefer the second one, it makes me feel tense about what will happen next.

Asma said...

i like the second one...it is uncoventional and a new composition:) thumbs up gr8 work.

Kath said...

They are both lovely. You have used such beautiful colours and the 2 creatures are full of character.

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