[nkummel]

This is an oil painting on a rather large canvas. i did it for a good friend's niece 1 year birthday ... i know it's a mixture of styles ... and although i already gave it to her ... i'd like to recieve critics to apply on my next works.

[Tinusch]

I don't know why this didn't get any replies, I think it's really good. I think you need to work on using a more unified color palette though, because there are so many focal points and distractions here it's a little overwhelming. Maybe desaturate the colors a bit, and try to have one main focal point. But I think that's a really good painting nonetheless, and I doubt a 1-year-old is going to object to bright colors.

[edible snowman]

i like the bright colors, it fits with the whole little kid thing. the only thing that bothers me is the face, the mouth is a little far forward.

[nkummel]

thanks for the replies ... i understand about the multi focals and i totally agree. the happy bright colors were chosen to contrust the sad/thinking/suprised facial expression.

I have two questions and i would be really thankful to any further replies.

1. how do you choose how to divide the time at hand, should i focus and spend more time on drawing and sketching before or can i work on sketching and drawing along side with oil paints and digital art ?

2. i am about to go to a journey / vacation mainly to india then nepal and tibet for aprox. 6 months ... does anyone know interesting or good art school i should stop by around those parts of the world ?
(thinking of it, i will post this question alone too)

thanks a lot,
Nati.

[Tinusch]

I don't know about your second question, but as for the first, I have been told to always plan ahead. Have your ideas sketched out and know what you're going to be doing before you jump in. Start by getting your layout and composition sketched out, work out the forms and everything, then start laying down your basic colors.