The Diner

[artfulscribe]

I think this may be my next attempt at a painting. I'm sure it doesn't come across as well as the original photo, but it's got some great morning light and a soft 'blue' mood, IMO. (There are lots of great reflections, too, when you see it in a larger format). I want to try something with an actual human in it for a change!

Now, for the hard part. Compositionally, does it work? If I leave a little more room to her right, would that create more of a sweet spot for her face? And secondly, are there any elements (besides the two containers/cups close to the bottom edge, which I'll eliminate), are there any other elements around you think I should change, move, or just plain get rid of in order to have a successful focus area?

I really, really want to work on a piece that conveys a little more atmosphere than what I've done thus far. Does this photograph do it for you, or am I just viewing the subject from a mother's rose colored glasses? ;)

Roxana

[Bill C]

I think it's a great pict Roxana! Here I added some to the right, cut some from the left to move the juke box closer, and blurred the view out the windo (seems distracting)

[artfulscribe]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this, Bill! One of these days maybe I'll catch up to you Photoshop pros. While I thought it might be wise to add more space to the right, I didn't have a clue how to test the theory in PS. Actually 'seeing' the possibilities makes such a huge difference!

Glad you think the photo works, and I agree with you on the details. The view out the window definitely needed to be taken down...thanks for working that out in PS as well! This is great!!

Roxana

[Bob Ebdon]

Great work Bill, you fixed the big problem I saw which was the empty space in the centre. Moving the salt in, and just closing down that big black area, is what will make this work best. Maybe look at the cups as well,* especially the ones right at the edge, and of course frost the glass like Bill did.

*Whoops I see Bill did that too!

[Angela]

I don't know anything about composition, but I'll take what she's having for breakfast!

[lucky]

Hi Roxana,

I love what Bill did! It’s going to make a perfect painting!

Does this photograph do it for you, or am I just viewing the subject from a mother's rose colored glasses? Yes it definetly does it for me. She’s adorable! And I love that the light coming in the window is cool, which will make for some really nice warm shadows in her face and on her little fingers.

[Rose]

Roxana,

This is going to be GREAT! Is this your little girl? I'm with Angela... I'd like to have what she's having for breakfast! Coffee please!!

Bill did a wonderful job in PS with the frosting of the glass and moving the picture to the sweet spot! I think you have another winner here! Can't wait to see you begin! Chair please with the coffee! :-)

[Denise]

Roxana! This is going to be precious! and you will do it beautifully! I'll be watching this one.....I'll have a cafe' mocha skim, no whip, please:D

[artfulscribe]

Thanks Bob, Angela (um yeah, the one problem with this painting will be that I will be exposed as a horrible mother who let her 3 yo consume enough cholesterol in one sitting to last her a lifetime!), Lucky, Rose (yup, she's mine...she was only 3 or so here, but she's a big Kindergartener now ;) ), and Denise! Coffee coming right up!

Speaking of coffee, if I didn't run out to get a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte every time I have a spare moment, I might have actually begun this painting by now!!! I think Starbucks has secretly implanted a homing device somewhere in my body, because I can't seem to get within a mile of one without being sucked in by their powerful tractor beam... :D

Roxana