Need your help and advice on my painting

[nadim]

I made the foolish mistake of painting from lousy quality reference material, and the result is that my painting looks quite poor in terms of depth. I swear Im never going to paint from photographs again, unless it is high-def, top notch quality.

I need your advice on how to spruce this thing up. I know the contrast is quite high, and the proportions are off, but all of those will be fixed in time. My question is how do I make it stand out in terms of depth and really
ing out textures, etc. Thank you.

[nigelartist]

Maybe add more colour and objects in the background to help give it depth.

[nadim]

Cool advice. I was thinking of adding something but I couldn'tt figure out what. But I think I've found something suitable to put in there that could save this painting.

[ehoeveler]

Uh, call me crazy but I like it as is.
The background is subtle and reflects
the subjects' contemplative attitude.
Really lovely painting.

[jenn_iam]

I agree... I like the background and the composition as it is...

LESS is MORE, in many ways... I think this is one of them.

If I were to make any adjustments at all, it would be in color...
Use color theory (contrasts and highlights) to make your subject come alive, if that is what you wish.

But, to me, I think adding other objects would really detract from the overall peice.


Hope that helps.