Making a Christmas painting for my mom inspired by the below photo.
It is still very much a work in progress. I’ve decided I don’t like the tree in the background. I plan to paint over it and I’m looking for advice on what to put there instead that will balance the colors and composition.
Current ideas include a window with some kind of snow scene, or just make it a red wall, maybe with a vague wallpaper pattern.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions or feedback.
What I’d recommend is getting a scrap of paper, dividing into small squares, and quickly sketch out 4-8 possible ideas, keep it small and rough and you can quickly compare how the ideas will look and pick your favourite.
Could have snow and a moon, a big window if you want it still in a house, a snowman, a sky and santa in the sky, lots of christmassy ideas.
Wallpaper in paintings makes me happy. Can you reproduce a wallpaper pattern from someplace nostalgic and Christmassy for your mom, or connected to that ornament? Or the look of a particular tablecloth, drapes, distinctive woodwork, anything like that which might be in an old photo?
I like it. I would perhaps try adding a bit of depth, like opening up the wall of green in the background or adding a silhouette to the foreground (nothing too busy). Most importantly, don’t listen to advice too much because only you know your own style.
Too much green can be a problem in a painting. I like the tree behind it, but maybe you could tone it down darker and cut the bright green. That would also make the top of the ornament pop more.
Kids face in extreme fish eye closeup looking at it.
I think the painting could use more depth/color contrast! If you don’t like the tree, maybe a cute window with snow falling?
I agree. I’d add some brighter highlights on some edges of stuff and keep it instead of replacing it with something else.
