Which looks better...?

winter_combat_knight

Hey guys, just after some opinions on which composition looks better for a digital painting im working on. I personally feel theres too much empty space on the first. But id like some other opinions, even from those of you who arent artists.

exoplasm

I like the first one better. The second looks cramped to me. Maybe add some filler to the open grassy area? Make it less smooth or something.

I have no artistic talent whatsoever so I can only give a short opinion.

Aldo

1st looks more tranquil to me.

yalborap

The second looks cramped, the first looks like it needs something in it. Maybe a running dude?

AnteCantelope

I like the first more, because there's more to see in the background. Of course, I like detailed romantic landscapes, so I'm quite biased.

KeyScourge

I prefer the first one. Seems a lot more spacious and a lot more peaceful to me

ihmmy

first. the space seems to be more poignant

Dunadan019

yeah, the first one looks better because it appears to be more spacious.

Willeth

Absolutely depends on what you're going for. I prefer to look at the first one because it's more spacious and tranquil and what eevryone else has said, but I also like the cramped feel of the second one. I feel like if there was a fantasy battle going on, the second one would be a better place to set it, whereas if you had a couple on a picnic, the first.

It would also be worth looking at the second image without the imposing border.

Babble

I like the first one. I don't mind the open space, very peaceful.

Sentry

I like the first one... could you perhaps put something on the water? Maybe a boat? That may not be what you are looking for... my only issue with the first one is that nothing seems to draw the eye...

very nice work though.

Berserkis

2nd

1st seems too empty

TheGreat2nd

First one.
I like the emptiness.

Fletcher

The first for me

maybe a rubble/sandy path would help to deal with the "emptiness" factor, or maybe just well-trodden grass to indicate a thoroughfare

bridges with no paths or anything look kind of wierd to me anyway :P

Balgair

Fletcher wrote: »

The first for me

maybe a rubble/sandy path would help to deal with the "emptiness" factor, or maybe just well-trodden grass to indicate a thoroughfare

bridges with no paths or anything look kind of wierd to me anyway :P

I pretty much agree with Fletcher, but I'd also be totally okay with leaving it as is. I think the emptiness almost makes the image more interesting. The ambiguity lets your imagination off the leash.

Darkewolfe

I like the openness of the first one, however I'd suggest aligning the river so that the lines run just slightly more to the left. That would draw your eye back into the painting. As it stands, the lines pull you to the right, all the way up to the tree in the corner.

Black Ice

To simply answer your question, I'd say picture 1, as there IS a focus in that picture: it's the open land to the left of the bridge, the open sky, and the vast ocean. Picture 2 is just kind of a bunch of focal points tossed into one cramped space.

I know you didn't ask for our input on the pictures other than which one we liked more, but adding some "sparkle" to the water or drawing the sun in the sky would soak up all of the emptiness in the sky and water. I really enjoy the painting nonetheless - keep up the good work! As a former artist, I know how hard it is to hear "go tweak this" after you've spent countless hours on a piece of work.

Szechuanosaurus

I would say 1 is better but does need something to fill the space. There are focal points, sure, but there isn't an interesting enough focal point anywhere. When I look at it, it looks like a backdrop for something else. There's no clear subject matter - is this painting about the lake? The bridge? These rock formations? No one element draws my attention more than the others. I feel like we are waiting for something else to appear to explain why we're looking at this vista or perhaps more detail is needed on the existing elements to indicate what we are supposed to be interested in?

winter_combat_knight

thanks fellas. decided to call it quits last night. I think its right about the second one being too cramped.

Szechuanosaurus: Very true. it lacks a focal point. Mainly because i skipped some steps with planning. i should be asking myself, what is the intention of this? what is the viewer supposed to look at? and Why should anyone care to look?

Black Ice: Good points. I think the painting is totally missing something.

AnteCantelope

I really like the changes you've made, but like Darkewolfe said, the lines in the painting draw my eyes to the right. So it's a little jarring that the guy is looking to the left. Unless that's your intention, I dunno.

At any rate, it looks really good. The bridge alone is better than anything I could have done.

Teslan26

Null and void.

But I like the addition of the human, yet not so sure about his form. Seems at odds with the style/feel of the rest of the piece. Course makes him stand out more.... but for me I would rather he were less sharp.

TheGreat2nd

I like the different lines.
Makes the human stand out.