[Turokess]

This dog is a rather rushed painting for someone and I could really use a little direction on it as I work. The values are annoying and I've got a few problems that I'm trying to work out. The problem is that the dog's head is white, he is in the rain, which is white or clear, and he is on a light background. I'm trying to figure out how to make this all work and still be easy to see all of the elements. A dark background might be the answer but it really looks bad with that; kind of unnatural. So, I'm open to any suggestions as to how I might proceed.


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[faB]

if it was just me I'd say it 'could make a great shape with the part of the head and the background of the same color/value.. as in many Frazetta;s paintings

but heyy not sure your 'client' wants some Frazetta I DO

with my meager experience I'd say play with contrast of details or saturation?
use a green/blue greayish fog and cooler white for the head or the opposite or make the fog very blurry

do you really want to make the head stick out after all he's in the rain..

PS: don't know if you;re planning to change the color you could add some variation in the brown with the same value?
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[Turokess]

Hey, thanks for the quick response faB. A Frazetta look is something I hadn't thought of, but would probably be well liked. Thanks for the other suggestions too. Anything is helpful.
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[Ragnarok]

I like the way it's coming out already. I don't feel the head needs much more contrast.
If you want, you could try some heavy, grey rain. If you've played or seen Metal Gear Solid 2, the rain effect was pretty good and you could try it.

The rain isn't always white or clear. It can be dull grey, dark grey, dark blue. It depends on you. I like the values you are using right now, even though you have to put the dog in the rain, right now the main body doesn't look as it's under the rain.
If it rains one of these days, look at the rain. See how water bounces and reflects light. You won't see it in a photo, and it's hard to find a good video where you can see it. Try to find reference

I hope this helps
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[Turokess]

Thanks Ragnarok. Actually the dog is finished now. I'm running out of time on it. Yes, thanks for reminding me of the rain in MGS2. I must go back and rewatch the opening movie now. Well, as you can see, I decided to pass on the rain for now. I played with it for a while, but I couldn't get it to look like what I pictured in my mind. So, took it out. Here's the final result.


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[flowers]

I really like it!
Great job.

Especially these dots around his cute mouth

[Link_omega]

Next time under situations like that. You could place slight dark halo tightly around the top of the head. Maybe a small shadow underneath to make him stand out in a rainy picture.