Suggestions please...

**rebel_chick** · 08-06-2009, 04:15 PM

Ok, so my hobby is painting. I am working on this elk and I am not sure why it doesn't look quite right, and before I finish it up, I thought I would ask if anyone had any suggestions? Be brutal if you have to, I want this to look perfect. It is a little dark in the picture but i have lightened it up with a bit of gold color on the dark parts. I think I want to lighten up his back with a lighter tan... I don't know yet, I am not a big elk fan, I haven't studied them like I have my horses, I need detail that you can only get from real life.

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**doug1980** · 08-06-2009, 04:24 PM

I think it looks fantastic. But that's just my opinion.

**Bibow** · 08-06-2009, 04:35 PM

Well you probably know this but, the white on the back right leg and the antlers should be brown and the hooves should be black but i think you just havent done those yet so nevermind. I think if you painted the background and everything around it it would start to look better to you.But it already looks amazing.

**rebel_chick** · 08-06-2009, 04:42 PM

Well thanks guys. The rear end of an elk is white. I may fix it up a bit yet as well as I don't think it goes down that far but on this particular piece it is hard to make it all blend togother back there. I haven't gotten to the horns and ground yet, just got started, these projects can take hours to finish. Just wanted to get some input.

**rebel_chick** · 08-06-2009, 05:08 PM

here is the last one that I had painted for my dad for christmas.

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**crashdive123** · 08-06-2009, 06:36 PM

I think as you progress on to the face and antler detail it will bring everything together. Nice job.

**FVR** · 08-06-2009, 08:12 PM

I think they look great.

**wareagle69** · 08-06-2009, 08:30 PM

those look about right, i remember the first time i heard an elk bugle it was october during the rut and i was just heading down the mtn from flag to camp verde, do you know the look out point i am talking about? so i pulled over to look out at the verde vally it was close to midnight and i heard this very erie call, haunting, will never forget it, hunted many a times near turkey butte look out in 11b but never did pull the trigger

**rebel_chick** · 08-06-2009, 08:40 PM

Thank you everybody!

wareagle- yes, I know what you are talking about. I bet that was pretty creepy too!!!

Ok, DRUM ROLL!! finished product- or almost finished- needs a few touch ups but i am tired, LOL.

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Ok seriously, be brutal, I want to know what ya'll really think. Even those who don't like it! Let me know what I could do better.

**crashdive123** · 08-06-2009, 08:43 PM

I like it.

**DOGMAN** · 08-06-2009, 08:45 PM

I've been an elk hunting guide for a pretty long time, and I've studied the elks form for hours at a time! And, I say it looks really good. And for sure, the elks bottom are much lighter in color....but, I wouldn't call them a true white. Sort of light khaki with highlights....but definetly much lighter than the rest of the body. Also, really old bulls start turning gold not brown.
Here is a great bull a client of mine got a couple years ago!

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**Rick** · 08-06-2009, 08:45 PM

I don't see a big problem with it. it might be a trick of the camera but just looking at the picture, you need to feather your colors so they bleed together instead of a stark transition. I think that's what you see. Look at your first piece and look at how you transition your colors. Much softer. Easier on the eye. You've done that on the lower legs. In fact you've done a really nice job of it there. It's a very natural progression. The other thing you could consider it to dopple the tan so it isn't quite so flat. Doppling it (adding some shades brown) will give the coat a rumpled or rippled affect.

I think if you blend the tan and brown a bit so it isn't so stark a contrast you'll be happy when you add the highlights around the eyes and antlers. Right now the only thing that captures your eye is the defined line between tan and brown.

This guy has sharp contrasts but the colors flow into one another.

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That first piece is excellent. You have a very strong eye for detail. That is where the devil is. Thanks for sharing and post some pics when you are done with it. It's a strong subject and I think it will look great when you're done!!

**Rick** · 08-06-2009, 08:47 PM

Now I feel bad. You posted while I was typing. The changes you made are excellent. You softened the colors very well. Nice job and thanks for sharing it!!!

**DOGMAN** · 08-06-2009, 08:51 PM

I really like it. How much to buy one?

**rebel_chick** · 08-06-2009, 09:11 PM

Rick, I still think the colors don't come together quite so well but with this piece it is hard bc the fur where it is dark is in the ceramic, makes it hard to blend it that way. But you think it looks ok that way it is now?

Jason- this particular one my mom bought so that I could paint and put it on ebay for a good chunk of money, but I can order another and do it just for you much cheaper. I think the base elk is like $15 plus shipping. If you truly want one feel free to pm me and we can talk more about it.

**pocomoonskyeyes** · 08-06-2009, 10:18 PM

I think you've done a really fine job RC. I can't really tell but if the thing has enough texture you might use a "wash" to darken the fur in spots it's really just the opposite of the "dry brushing" you've done on the neck. Just thin down the paint 'til it's watery with a darker color and lightly go over it. I think that may be what you are trying to do. try it in a hidden spot and if you don't like it you can wipe it off.

**rebel_chick** · 08-06-2009, 10:27 PM

thanks poco. i haven't learned all the techniques yet. I learned a little while I was younger but quit taking classes, wish I had finished them now. I will give it a shot, maybe not this one, I think I am pretty much done here but I will keep that in mind. Thanks!

**Rick** · 08-07-2009, 07:25 AM

Yes, I like it. Just remember that nature generally doesn't do sharp contrasts unless the animal is poisonous or mimics a poisonous specie. Elk, obviously, don't fall into that category. Nature equips prey animals with soft colors and hues and blends those colors so they don't stand out to predators. All sorts of variations on camouflage.

When we are kids we draw and our parents tell us what a good job we did. We're praised and enthusiastic about drawing. Once we get to school we find out that some other kids are really good and maybe ours isn't as good and we quite drawing. That happens around 6 or 7. Then when we get older we want to start drawing again and, guess what, we draw like 6 or 7 year olds. Don't get discouraged. It takes a lot of practice and you have to study your subject looking for the details. Stand back and look at the whole picture and how light plays on the subject then study the details.

There's no reason you can't take lessons now. I took drawing/painting lessons until I was 28 or 29 I guess. I still have some stuff put away. About the only thing I have out now are pencil sketches of animals. I just really like pencil. Don't know why but I just find it an interesting and soothing medium. Not particularly good at it, just like it.