Need help finishing off my lamb, but lost my photo reference.

[GreenPartyVoter]

Should I ink an outline? Paint in a background color? Shade the face and ears more? Also unsure on the eyes and mouth, again because I lost the reference. Looking at other pics helps a little.

Tia!

[SheltieLover]

1. I'm not a technical artist

I do process-based work, but just wanted to say your lamb is beautiful! TY for sharing!

[greyl]

2. From the looks of it,

you don't need anyone's help, seriously, beautiful stuff.

But I'd paint a green, flora background, or maybe plaid, or even a demoralized wolf behind bars, hence the sheep's gloating expression.

[MLAA]

3. Hmmmm I'm going to vote for an outline

I love the color, texture, pattern of the fur. Unless you come up with background color that won’t distract from the fur, I’m going with outline 🙂

[procon]

4. Lots of photos on Google.

Note that sheep have golden eyes with a black rectangular iris.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Yes, they do, but for some reason in that photo they read as mostly black. I might touch up a bit of

gold on them.

[Bayard]

6. Are you going for realism or characterization?

It looks like the sun is hitting her face, but I think I'd go for a bit more shadow and definition, especially around the eyes and mouth.

But its a cute lambie-pie!

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. Hmmm... more character, but still some truth as far as shading.

And thank you!

[lunatica]

8. I always like to see art from a distance too

like you have it in the first photo. Distance gives you a different perspective than you get when you’re close to the art.

The right side of your painting is the more dominant side because it’s darker and you also define the wool and play with the shadows within shadows and the texture. So this kind of makes the left side look a bit washed out. Remember I’m talking about seeing the painting from a distance, not close up.

The shadow along the sheep’s head on the right is outlining its head, so I think I would push myself to experiment on doing some detail work on the left side. I would start with the outline of the ear and just let the painting tell me what to do. Work slowly and look at it from a distance as you go so you can “see” if it’s finished. Remember that you’re making the rules as you go.

From what I’ve seen so far your paintings come out very well when you outline them and when you go the extra step. Even though they’re already kind of finished.

The way I decide what to do when I’m not sure is to prop the painting up where I can see it when I walk into a room or glance at it. My paintings eventually tell me what I need to do to finish them.

I like the blue you used in the mouth and nostrils.