For some reason I did not get this latest post and was not able to offer this critique in a timely fashion!

The mood of your little ACEO painting is very nice and the feeling of light coming in and glowing on the cat is done nicely.

I would like to offer a few comments about your little painting. You mentioned that you got this reference photo from Wetcanvas.com. When I teach my classes, I have this conversation with my students about them using “reference images” that they have taken themselves over those from other sources. When one is involved with the “reference” that has been taken by themselves, there is much more emotional reaction to that subject matter and that reaction is then transfered into the painting. By taking the references yourself, these are truly your OWN IMAGES. There is very good practice in designing your OWN PAINTINGS, knowing what to eliminate and edit and what to keep.

The design elements are quite good in this little painting and the dark negative space really is a nice shape and “pops” the cat for emphasis.

Thank you for sharing this with us and keep painting!

Ingrid

I wanted the back ground to be completely dark. I love the effect when you have the contrast between something bathed in bright light against a dark featureless background. I really love the paintings of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. He used the technique called chiaroscuro which is the the contrast of light and dark to create atmosphere, drama, and emotion. Some of Rembrandt’s painitngs use the technique as well.

I am part of the ebay ACEO group. ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions and Originals. The only guideline regarding ACEOs is that they must be 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches (size of a hockey card).

The website for the ACEO group is http://www.art-cards.org and the link for the ebay group is http://groups.ebay.com/forum/Aceo-Art-Cards/Welcome/100016579