Not sure what gold leaf would do as it would raise the value. Because the bc is dark it helps bring out the figure. Try it though. You can always paint over it if you don't like it.

The way you left the underpainting showing works wells. Thats one of the beauties of oil.

That seems like a very hard pose to sit still for. lol. I don't sense anger either, it seems like you were trying to be wacky. With this kind of study you can learn a lot about the human face. I think I'll make this my signature because every body seems to need this - use more contrast! Even though ...

Right on les.
It sounds like your well versed in experimenting.
Keep up the good work.

Nice to see you exploring different techniques! What about adding more of your techniques (like fluid paintings)? I like the twisting effect. There is a lot of emotional stress conveyed. It reminds me of the pope series of Francis Bacon. As far as critiquing goes, I'd like to see the body highlighte...

I'd like to see the dog's face smooth and the boys face squished lol.

seriously though- more contrast.
That seems to be the number one problem I've noticed on the site.

Medium? It has a digital feel. It reminds me of a psychedelic christmas tree in a crevice of the north pole. did you mean to put the silhouette of a woman's torso in the middle-top-left? Because the rest is abstract I'd change the angles there to break up the association. What are the yellow and gre...

You've captured the background glow behind the scale wonderfully! Now how about emphasising the light shimmering on the scale? This need not be a large change, simply add a highlight in a few places. Also I like how the dove is smooth and the snake is angular. Could you emphasis the geometry of the ...

The background color complements the tree color nicely. You've clearly captured a sense of movement even as the trees are still. Because I don't know your normal style, I don't have room to comment how they diverge, but the fact your willing to try new things and go outside your comfort level is exa...

You are correct that you can get technical and there is a level of skill and understanding that comes with experience. I've not only done this type of painting but sold them. After about 10 of this style painting I realized there was only so much you could do stylistically. Just like realism, even i...

This shot is very true to the original Do you mean you copied this painting? Was this your second piece in a series? It is unclear. I'd like to see more contrast. Although I can tell whats going on, it is fuzzy. Simply adding another layer of one value step darker would really help this piece.

Looks like no one is willing to give a real critique here... What this painted from life? Or your head? Either way I think it needs more detail. At least in the foreground. As things recede they become less defined so the middle and background work well. The "trinity mountains" idea is cle...

Very dream like. Because it is blurry, along with the distorted angles, it looks like it is moving. Great job explaining the milieux. Now that the setting is there how about adding to the story...what else could be going on in this scene? Overall- technically well done but conceptually uninteresting.

I liked the first rendition much better. The emphasis in more saturated colors helped to create balance and the complementary colors helped push the eye around the center, drawing the viewer to the focal point. The problem with darkening the background is that it makes the whole piece sit on the sam...

There is only love and fear. If your living in fear you cant be loving and viceversa. I don't agree with the comment about colors because colors have associated emotional connotations. The piece has a dark yet passionate feel. You wouldn't get that with "soothing" colors. As far as the flo...

Overall good piece. I especially like the interplay of the colors between the background and figure. The figure needs more contrast. It's already defined enough so maybe just highlights? Is she standing on a stool? The space below the woman needs to be clarified. The difference between large spaces ...