My paintings often go through what I call The Ugly Stage. It's where I've put down color in a harsh or unsubtle way in preparation for what's going to come next. It's a stage at which I never listen to comments about a painting because I know it's still very much a work-in-progress and I know what I intend to do.
In this instance, the bands of dark are going to be painted over so they're gentle shadows. Only the shadow on the eye is gentle enough. I know the chameleon is floating; I know the mouth is over-simplified; I know it looks like its got five legs. I'm just waiting for the paint to dry and then I'll get onto it...
Constructive comments on a painting can be very helpful, but you need to ensure that they're being made at an appropriate stage in a painting's development. And always remember that it's your painting, you're free to take or leave everyone else's opinion on it.
