View Full Version : Not a Creature was Stirring....
Lahree
08-16-2005, 09:26 PM
Y'all might remember this pic of Zoey sleeping in the Christmas tree. I bought some green Canson MT paper to draw this on. My question is about comp. Do I need to move ornaments anywhere? Any thoughts on cropping needed if at all? I rather like her leg hanging down, but I wonder if cropping it out makes it look better? Idea/opinions?
Brenda
08-16-2005, 09:51 PM
How adorable is this!!! Zoey is such a cutie. Will this be your Christmas card??
You know me, I'm no help with composition. I just wanted to tell you how much I love this pic!
Denise
08-16-2005, 09:53 PM
Cute, cute pic Lori! I'm not much help composition-wise, but my eye keeps getting pulled to the red ornament. Not sure what to suggest to you...so I'll wait and see what the experts have to say and learn along w/ you.:)
Lahree
08-16-2005, 10:17 PM
Thanks, Brenda and Denise. Yup, this will be this year's Christmas card--if i can pull it off. I tried to draw a kitty cat once--yikes. They are a lot harder than ya think!
CindyH
08-16-2005, 10:20 PM
We all know I should take up knitting rather than composition :) , but I'm thinking this one is going to be tricky, Lahree. It took me a few seconds to figure out that it was a cat. I think you need the "hanging down" paw...to me it helps say "cat". So if it were me I would try moving the blue ornament. And then switch the blue and red colors...so the red is more in the picture and the blue one is toward the outer edge. My 2 cents, and I'm off to knit a sweater :D
Lori, you could always change the paw into a tail... and curl it up some... it looks like a sweet picture and definitely would work for a Christmas card! I like Cindy's idea with the color change on the ornaments! Good luck!
Hi Lahree
It is a very cute image even I also think it should have some changes.
I would think of: be sure to get the cat in focalpoint + show more of it: perhaps show its tail ?
Move the glass-things around so they don't cover the cat (blue) and don't call for too much attention (red).
The lights disturbs me a bit: they point out of the composition, and could be difficult to recognize in a drawing in their position... How about making some thumbnail-sketches moving things around ;)
Looking forward to see your desicions :bye1:
Arlene
08-18-2005, 10:20 AM
it's a good comp...but when i do a comp, i always look and say would it look better doing it this way or that. then I try different ways and not take the first photo as is! notice in the first scan where your golden mean is.
now let's move onto the second one and see where the golden mean is after i ONLY cropped it. see the difference?
Now on the third, I not only darkened the bg behind the cat so it doesn't jump out at you, but i also moved the ball over just a bit...now what happens? where does your eye go?
Arlene
08-18-2005, 10:24 AM
Now having said that, this will be the last one I play with for you (and for others who are not beginners.)...until you show me several possibilities, whether as photo crops and manipulations or as thumbnails. You have the knowledge and the talent, and all you need to do is play abit beforehand. :judge: After all, it should be your drawing, composition and finished product! ;) Show me several and then we have alot to discuss...
Arlene, thats a terrific composition :)
Lahree
08-18-2005, 11:29 PM
Now having said that, this will be the last one I play with for you (and for others who are not beginners.)...until you show me several possibilities, whether as photo crops and manipulations or as thumbnails. You have the knowledge and the talent, and all you need to do is play abit beforehand. :judge: After all, it should be your drawing, composition and finished product! ;) Show me several and then we have alot to discuss...
Yer killing me! :crybaby: I AM a beginner! :p I don't know what the heck I'm doing! :crybaby: You know what kind of problems I have with MATH (I hate math) and trying to figure out the Golden Mean thingie means MATH (where'e the icon for whining??). I don't have Photoshop and I would be clueless on how to use it if I did have it (insert fictional whining icon here). Hey, at least I am asking now for comp help instead of just jumpin' in and turning out something "icky." Please don't make me put on my big girl panties, Arlene, please! Be an enabler. :crybaby:
Hey, BTW...great work on my photo! What a cool comp WE came up with! :D :angel: :p :rolleyes: ;)
Angela
08-19-2005, 12:44 PM
Lahree,
I SUCK at comp too, but I posted another really great link in the composition guidelines thread. I'll post it here, too. It's from my QUEST to understand the Golden Mean - because I, too, have a math block!!
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=1
Let me know what you think! :D
Meisie
08-19-2005, 01:13 PM
I was wondering if I needed to remind you of this picture ;)
I'm curios as to why you're working on green....and look forward to seeing this one 'grow'
How far are you? :p
Meisie
Yer killing me! :crybaby: I AM a beginner! :p I don't know what the heck I'm doing! :crybaby: You know what kind of problems I have with MATH (I hate math) and trying to figure out the Golden Mean thingie means MATH (where'e the icon for whining??). I don't have Photoshop and I would be clueless on how to use it if I did have it (insert fictional whining icon here). Hey, at least I am asking now for comp help instead of just jumpin' in and turning out something "icky." Please don't make me put on my big girl panties, Arlene, please! Be an enabler. :crybaby:
Hey, BTW...great work on my photo! What a cool comp WE came up with! :D :angel: :p :rolleyes: ;)
ROFLMBO! hilarious... big girl panties... now that's a new one! C'mon ARLENE, HELP the poor girly! :-)
artfulscribe
08-19-2005, 03:11 PM
You know what kind of problems I have with MATH (I hate math) and trying to figure out the Golden Mean thingie means MATH (where'e the icon for whining??).
I know EXACTLY what you mean...I feel the same way! Just saying the words Golden Mean makes my knees start feeling weak. It's a phobia, no doubt about it!
Whatever you decide, just wanted to say I think this is an adorable comp and I LOVE the title! Perfect! Can't wait to see what you do with it :D
Roxana
This is going to be good Lori. With your skills.......... child's play. :p Can't wait to see this one develop so that I can learn. I real curious how you handle the greens. That seems to be the hardest color with me.
BTW The whining had me rolling on the floor. :D
Lori, Are you going to join in on the holiday card exchange? Please! You know I'm one of your biggest fans! :clap: Still waiting on that calendar! ;)
Lahree
08-20-2005, 10:29 AM
Hey thanks, Angela. I bookmarked that page. I read it last night as long as my brain could handle. I am sure it's going to be one of those things I have to read again and again and again to have it sink in. Math is like that for me. My brain is on backwards.
Hi Meisie! Nah, you don't need to remind me of this pic ;) . LOL. I'm not anywhere on it yet. I want to have it all figured out compositionally before I start. I am working on another drawing at the moment. One I didn't get any help with compositionally, so it should be icky. :D I was going to work on green to have a nicely colored background. However, I am now leaning towards good ol' white. I dunno.
Hey Rose...Toni just to have a quote at the bottom of her posts that said something about "put your big girl panties on and deal with it." My family also used to use this saying.
Thanks, Roxanna! A fellow math phobian! :high five:
Hi Greg! :bye1: Child's play? Let's hope so! That's a "we'll see," but thanks for your confidence in me! :D
Awwwwww! Thanks, Beth! I posted in the holiday thread about using Kinko's for printing my cards. However, as I stated there--I don't know if I will have time to do holiday cards for the exchange. I plan on having this drawing of Zoey as my holiday card and because she is asleep in a Christmas tree, it is religion specific and not valid for the exchange. I don't know if I would have time to do a new card just for the exchange.
Lori, I don't think we have decided if the cards will be non-religious but I don't have a problem with it. I would like the variety myself. So think about it ok?
Arlene
08-21-2005, 12:18 AM
Lahree,
I SUCK at comp too, but I posted another really great link in the composition guidelines thread. I'll post it here, too. It's from my QUEST to understand the Golden Mean - because I, too, have a math block!!
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php?lesson=1
Let me know what you think! :DI think this is probably one of the best lessons on composition I've come across. Thank you. i know I've bookmarked it.
Arlene
08-21-2005, 12:21 AM
beth i see nothing wrong with lahree's card.
as for math phobia...get over it...i never made it past ninth grade algebra.
Lori, NO MORE WHINING! Just do it!!!
Lahree
08-21-2005, 09:33 AM
Lori, NO MORE WHINING! Just do it!!!
How 'bout grumbling? Is grumbling aloud? How about it's twin--mumbling? I do a GREAT mumble under the breath kinda thing! I also am quite adept at making disgusted faces--although I kinda have a fear of my face freezing in some bizarre way thanks to years of my mother saying, "Your face is going to freeze like that!"
beth i see nothing wrong with lahree's card.
Good, I don't either.
..as for math phobia...get over it...i never made it past ninth grade algebra.
Lori, NO MORE WHINING! Just do it!!!
As for math...I took only what I had to take...and barely got through Geometry. Somehow I made it through Algebra 1 ok, but Geometry was tough for me. But that may have been because I was distracted by all the noise and activity in the class. Typical ADD..but never was diagnosed.
Lahree
08-21-2005, 12:06 PM
as for math phobia...get over it...i never made it past ninth grade algebra.
When I was an eight grader, my reading, retention, grammer and vocabulary was tested at sophomore COLLEGE level, however, my math skills were tested at THIRD GRADE level!!! See? There is something wrong with my brain!! :( And let's talk about algebra--how the @&%* can you add NUMBERS and LETTERS together?? Who's the brainiac who thought THAT one up?
Arlene
08-21-2005, 01:42 PM
When I was an eight grader, my reading, retention, grammer and vocabulary was tested at sophomore COLLEGE level, however, my math skills were tested at THIRD GRADE level!!! See? There is something wrong with my brain!! :( And let's talk about algebra--how the @&%* can you add NUMBERS and LETTERS together?? Who's the brainiac who thought THAT one up?hahaha....i'm with you there!!! silly people. Yep I'm the same way...nothing wrong with our brains...we're just more interested in more important matters.
Lahree
08-22-2005, 10:45 AM
I was also thinking about drawing this as well. I love this shot of Zoe also.
Meisie
08-22-2005, 01:51 PM
Lori, she's going to clout that ball just now...if we look long enough!! Both refs are great!
I'm so glad to be in good company re Math. I always say I'd still be in school if I needed Grade 12 math to graduate :rolleyes: :D
Meisie
CarrieLLewis
08-25-2005, 06:17 PM
When I was an eight grader, my reading, retention, grammer and vocabulary was tested at sophomore COLLEGE level, however, my math skills were tested at THIRD GRADE level!!! See? There is something wrong with my brain!! :( And let's talk about algebra--how the @&%* can you add NUMBERS and LETTERS together?? Who's the brainiac who thought THAT one up?Oh, no! I see I'm in a definite minority here. I not only enjoyed math (and science) but got all the through geometry and Algebra II in high school.
Not only that, but I married an ENGINEER!!! Gasp! Horrors! ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!
:eek:
CarrieLLewis
08-25-2005, 06:18 PM
I was also thinking about drawing this as well. I love this shot of Zoe also.Lahree,
I like this one a lot better. It reads much more easily, retains that high cute factor and just think what you could do with light and color if you turned that green light bulb around to face Zoe and turned it on! Wow!
Lori,
I vote for this new pic too!!! Very cute.. what a nice pose!
GWESQ
08-25-2005, 10:31 PM
Oh, no! I see I'm in a definite minority here. I not only enjoyed math (and science) but got all the through geometry and Algebra II in high school.
Not only that, but I married an ENGINEER!!! Gasp! Horrors! ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!
:eek:
Ahhhh Carrie - someone I can identify with here. FINALLY!
Wasn't an Engineer - but went to an Engineering College & became a Biochemist. Close enough?
And wasn't Trigonometry fun? Actually, it is a course all artists should take.
Lahree
08-26-2005, 12:26 AM
Ahhhh Carrie - someone I can identify with here. FINALLY!
Wasn't an Engineer - but went to an Engineering College & became a Biochemist. Close enough?
And wasn't Trigonometry fun? Actually, it is a course all artists should take.
::FAINTS::
Lahree
08-26-2005, 10:32 AM
Y'all like the second one? Hmmm....but the first one has such a better TITLE lol!! And isn't that what making art is all about? Which drawing has the best TITLE?? :confused: :p :rolleyes:
Y'all like the second one? Hmmm....but the first one has such a better TITLE lol!! And isn't that what making art is all about? Which drawing has the best TITLE?? :confused: :p :rolleyes:
I like the second one the best. I have no doubt that you can come up with a really cool title for it. After all, you are almost as funny as me. ;) :p
Brenda
08-26-2005, 11:18 AM
I like the second one best, too. It has that little kitten just ready to reach out and slap that ornament. It's so cute!!
How about naming it, " Not a Creature was Stirring.... Except for the Darn Cat Sitting in the Tree Playing with the Drated Ornaments."
Bob Ebdon
08-26-2005, 02:35 PM
I posted to this but it got lost earlier!
Both pictures are great Lori, especially after you (or someone) made the changes to the first. This would look good in blue greens, dark, moody, calm, relaxed. The second you would use yellow greens, give it some sparkle and fun. And I would move the bauble in the second up a fraction, and alter the crop so you could hit two sweet spots and get some ping-pong between them.
Lahree
08-27-2005, 03:34 AM
How about naming it, " Not a Creature was Stirring.... Except for the Darn Cat Sitting in the Tree Playing with the Drated Ornaments."
Gee, Brenda, I don't know why I didn't think of that--it rolls right off the tounge! :p :rolleyes:
Lahree
08-27-2005, 03:35 AM
I like the second one the best. I have no doubt that you can come up with a really cool title for it. After all, you are almost as funny as me. ;) :p
That claim made laugh alrighty :D :p
Lahree
08-27-2005, 03:37 AM
I posted to this but it got lost earlier!
Both pictures are great Lori, especially after you (or someone) made the changes to the first. This would look good in blue greens, dark, moody, calm, relaxed. The second you would use yellow greens, give it some sparkle and fun. And I would move the bauble in the second up a fraction, and alter the crop so you could hit two sweet spots and get some ping-pong between them.
Oh, thanks, Bob! I appreciate your imput! :D Good ideas as usual!
Bob Ebdon
08-27-2005, 06:21 AM
I forgot to add I have a dgree in Chemistry with a distinction in Math - and I hate both with a passion!
Lahree
08-27-2005, 10:55 AM
I forgot to add I have a dgree in Chemistry with a distinction in Math - and I hate both with a passion!
::faints:: again
CarrieLLewis
08-27-2005, 05:31 PM
Ahhhh Carrie - someone I can identify with here. FINALLY!
Wasn't an Engineer - but went to an Engineering College & became a Biochemist. Close enough?
And wasn't Trigonometry fun? Actually, it is a course all artists should take.Biochemist is good. Yep!
I didn't get to trig because most of those math courses were electives in high school. I have heard I stopped too soon, though! When I get some spare time (yeah, right!), I may have to check out some math classes at the local community college. Or history, maybe. That's good, too.
CarrieLLewis
08-27-2005, 05:34 PM
I forgot to add I have a dgree in Chemistry with a distinction in Math - and I hate both with a passion!Isn't it funny how people get degrees in stuff they hate? So I have to ask, what do you do for a living? Are you putting those degrees to good use or do you do art for fun and profit and prefer to not think about the degrees?
Bob Ebdon
08-28-2005, 06:13 AM
I had to use my Chemistry degree for 22 years teaching Carrie, but even then I moved away from it as much as possible. I my time I have taught Phys Ed, Religious Ed, Personal and Social development, Economics, Music and Art! Anything to get out of Chemistry! Now I have a retrement pension from teaching and supplement this with my art. There was one glorious month last year when I was a profesional artist - I earned more money from my art than from my pension. Unfortunately this has only happened in one month! I also did some work with the Open University - distance learning - and got a degree that counts as a BA, that included courses in Social Sciences and Music. Again, anything but Chemistry!
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