bear on the moon

[chris974]

Hi everyone. This is one of those paintings i had an idea all of a sudden, went out to get the canvas for it and started, then just hit a wall and didn't touch it for months. That has happened about twice now and i really just want to get it finished. Last time i fixed up the craters and for the most part the bear, but I'm still not sure if i should finish it off with the composition as is, or try and add in some more things inside his dome to fill in the space.

The idea behind this is - its set 15-30 years in the future when humans are beginning trials to colonise the moon. Its supposed to be a sad painting, because the poor bear is left there, like the dogs that went up to space first.

Anyway here is an older version:
http://chris.spadgos.com/blog-images/bear-in-progress.jpg

And here is the more recent version (excuse the fairly rough photo):
http://chris.spadgos.com/blog-images/bear-in-progress2.jpg

Would like some opinions on if i should just finish off the bits and pieces but leave it generally as is, or put some more things in eg feeding trough in the back of the dome to fill the space, or maybe something else entirely.

[Helm]

Fantastic concept - very sad but wow great. I like the little ship heading off in the distance. I think it looks good as it is, maybe if anything, a little depth on the bears platform he's standing on - apart from that, a very unusual picture! I like it, but could never hang it up in my house it would make me too sad ;)

[chris974]

helm, thanks for your thoughts.

My girlfriend doesn't like me leaving this lying around because its too sad.

[Judy]

Unusual concept, but I like it. The difference between the 2 pictures makes me think you have improved your skills quite a bit between sessions ? May I suggest you do a tad more work on the bears right arm especially the paw ? The paw is so dark it is pushed back instead of appearing to be closer to the viewer. Some of the light colour you have used on his head would bring the arm forward. I realise this isn't easy to do unless you have a good reference picture. Only my humble opinion. Ignore if you're happy with it as is.

[emkay]

I do like it!

[ingridr]

That is a very interesting painting, Chris. I like the texture and the line work in space. If I was to suggest anything it would be to sharpen up the lunar landscape not in the dome, possibly with some darker shadows, just so the difference between the two areas is more pronounced and that on the left looks more behind glass. But having said that, thumbs up for a thought provoking painting!:thumbup1:

[Jayde]

Interesting idea. I like the way you've done those craters!

[chris974]

thanks - all of that advice is very useful, i can see what you mean about the right paw especially