[gLitterbug]

Hi Ladies and Gentlemen,

After not painting or drawing much useful stuff and not posting anything, I�m back with a brand new painting. I worked the last 3 days on it without doing much else, so it took me pretty long, but I like how it turned out.
It�s supposed to be a present, so I hope I�m not the only person that likes it It will be printed out only once and get framed.

Anybody have tips on what paper to use for the print? I want it to be as good as my HP 1220c A3 printer can do. I probably ask some print service how much it�d cost me to print it, but most probably it�ll be way too much, especially for one print only. I would be very thankful for some advices on that from people that sell prints of their pictures.

Now to some things I wanna clear off before someone asks : NO, it�s NOT an ant, it�s the "human" form of the gLitterbug (me). Ok, then I don�t wanna let you wait any longer, here�s the pic:



A detail Shot in actual working resolution(Image is 2000x3500):


2 more details:
Rose
Bug on lantern

Thank you in advance for viewing this thread and replying with your comments and critiques!

[Anthony]

I already gave a critique on ICQ, but I'll post it here for public benefit.
The street light's bulb sticks out further than the rim of the light fixture, but the cone angle of the light is still narrow. The lighting in general is a bit on the diffused side-not likely from a single spotlight, even in a misty night. Darker values on him will make him sadder and more pitiful. I added some color to the mist, just to make the use of monochrom more powerful. Anyway, keep up the good work!

[Lunatique]

yay! welcome back to the art side.

Only crit I have is to define the shape of leaves a bit more in the background. It's just huge blurs at this point, and looks a bit rushed.

[ex]

Lovely Lovely Lovely!!

[Dr. Bang]

WOOOOOOAH!!!!! So cool! I love the monochrome color of this picture! Excellent shading too!!

One comment is the border between the dark side and the bright side of his pant, shoulnd it be a bit jaggy?


Nice to see you draw again!!! Bye

[Novacaptain]

Hey glitterbug, that's really nice. I like the expression on your bug..he really looks sad and lonely. I made an overpaint to define the hedge because as is one might mistake it for a patch of grass that extends into the background. I also added some insects flying around the lamp. If it's supposed to be a cold night i don't think they belong but if it's a hot climate then it's ok i guess. Also, i'm assuming the glitterbug is larger than ordinary ones. I've sent you this on icq, but since it might be of interest to other sijuners, here it is again:

[Tommy]

Hey,

Nice job on this one. I think having more contrast, as in darker shadows would be an idea. Other than that, great image.

[Winged Monkey]

Very nice. While most of what has been said may be 'true', it is also subjective. Contrast adjustments will change the way the pic reads; I personaly like the story-book air to it -increasing the contrast might detract from that. For the same reason, I LIKE the simplified streat lamp light; while the paintover supplied by Anthony is convincing -IMHO, it's not appropriate here.

I too would like to see the leaves a bit more developed.

Great pic.

WM

[Awetopsy]

Dang Dude!!! your getting to be a better painter than me!! Awesome work.. I love the rose.. I like just about everything. I agree with above tho there should be bugs around the light.

[gLitterbug]

Ok people, I wrote a really long reply today and the forum thingy said I exceeded the image count (posted one only) and so I lost all my text - doh!

To make it fast - Thank you SO much Anthony and Novacaptain - thx for the time you took to open up my eyes! Your overpaints help me alot!!

Thanks to everyone else for the nice comments! I�m so so so happy you like it! Will post better reply when I post the next reply with the more finished version

Things I�ve changed so far - I adjusted the jagginess factor of the trousers for the Dr. , tried out to put in more shadows, but I somewhat share Winged Monkeys point of view, it might be more realistic that way but I�m not sure if it is the better solution. Have to find that out yet
I detailed the hedge (hell of work ).

Things to do - detail the trees in the background, add some more shadows and of course add those bugs flying around - what a great idea that is

Ok here�s the changed Image, it�s an in progress, I�ll work on it more when I have time (hope I get most things done today)



Ok, I added this comparison now (again after changing it 5 seconds after posting it first ) Go here and tell me whatcha think - Please!

[ June 05, 2002: Message edited by: gLitterbug ]

[Winged Monkey]

More babbel from The Monkey,

Could you keep the hedge soft/rounded? With all the forced perspective (sidewalk, bench), I feel a bit trapped as the viewer -it's harder to read (the pic, en toto) and pulls/detracts from(or changes) the center of focus of the pic... (It might also be read as concreate now...). The composition of the original was just about PERFECT- it will be a chalange to add detail while maintaining balance, flavor.

I noticed you lost the sig...

Jaggies you added to the pant leg are subtle and restrained -nice.

Do you have more work on line?

WM

[pixelsoldier]

I just wanted to say that you've improved one helluva lot, glitterbug. Great image!

In all honesty, I think the changes you've made since your original post have helped the image a lot. I agree with Maxmike in that a lot of artist tend to overwork their pieces into oblivion, but I don't feel that is the case with your piece. I feel like the changes you're making are definitely improvements, and not simply reworking a part of the image in a different way. Each update is adding a new level of complexity in my opinion.

And I like Nova's moths. Use the moths, damnit.

[Maxmike]

Stick with the original. Don't change a thing.

oftentimes it is our first look at something that is the most accurate. I could easily tell it was a hedge. it looked unkempt and dreary. it fit the picture.

there is a time for changing and a time for staying. don't overwork it.

I like it, the only extra feature anyone has added so far that I feel adds to this image is the moths near the light.

[gLitterbug]

Heyo again!

Winged Monkey - Thx for your comment. I myself like the changes, especially the hedge pretty much, but your reply makes me think of a possible change that could satisfy you too I didn�t loose the sig, I just forgot to make the sig-layer visible. What the hell does "en toto" mean?
I don�t have much more work online, I didn�t make very much till now I have to admit (shame on my lazy ass), but I should make at least a very basic homepage soon.

Maxmike - I think I will keep the changes - I hope you like at least the moths I added now and forgive me not reverting to the original pic.

pixelsoldier - I�m so happy that you say I�ve improved alot and that you like the changes. Means alot to me. - Moths added SIR!

On to the new version of the image: