Photo © Julie Lamons
"Daffodil" by Julie Lamons.
From the Artist: I used a blue vase to showcase this daffodil, which worked well with the orange tips of the flower. I tried to incorporate the shadow into this composition. I like the way it worked out. The background is a gray cloth; I wanted the color to play off the blue vase.
From the Painting Guide: I think you've made a lovely choice of vase and background color for the daffodil. They really set off the flower beautifully, allowing it to dominate the composition and make its color glow.
I definitely agree with including the shadow because it's such an interesting shape. Also because the angle it's falling at adds a dynamic element to the composition, something to look at in what would otherwise be "empty" space but that doesn't compete with the main focus of the painting.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Composition: The flower and vase are very central, and my natural preference would be for it to be a bit further to the right. This would also move the shadow away from the very edge.
I It's likely just the way the photo was cropped, but I would also have a little more space above the daffodil. Right now that petal is just touching the edge, as if it can't make up its mind whether to be inside or outside the composition.
Background: I think this is a great example of a background that's visually interesting (got enough going on in it to keep you looking, you don't just take it in with one glance) but doesn't compete with the main elements in the painting (the daffodil, the vase, and the shadow).
Also hold your hand up to cover the fold or line in the background near the base of the vase, and you'll see how much this adds. The slight curves to the line, the variation in width of the dark tone, the visual linking between its color and the shadow/vase... it adds visual interest, gives a sense of space (dimension).
From the Painting Guide: I think you've made a lovely choice of vase and background color for the daffodil. They really set off the flower beautifully, allowing it to dominate the composition and make its color glow.
I definitely agree with including the shadow because it's such an interesting shape. Also because the angle it's falling at adds a dynamic element to the composition, something to look at in what would otherwise be "empty" space but that doesn't compete with the main focus of the painting.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Composition: The flower and vase are very central, and my natural preference would be for it to be a bit further to the right. This would also move the shadow away from the very edge.
I It's likely just the way the photo was cropped, but I would also have a little more space above the daffodil. Right now that petal is just touching the edge, as if it can't make up its mind whether to be inside or outside the composition.
Background: I think this is a great example of a background that's visually interesting (got enough going on in it to keep you looking, you don't just take it in with one glance) but doesn't compete with the main elements in the painting (the daffodil, the vase, and the shadow).
Also hold your hand up to cover the fold or line in the background near the base of the vase, and you'll see how much this adds. The slight curves to the line, the variation in width of the dark tone, the visual linking between its color and the shadow/vase... it adds visual interest, gives a sense of space (dimension).