Receptionist at gates of hell

[mark-jenkins]

No responses, never mind, after some thinking while lying out in the sun in the garden I decided to stick with the first composition, I just think it's more dynamic. Also after playing with it for a while and adding some flames that are emitted from the gatekeeper's hands and some torches next to the gate and a keystone shaped like the devil's head I have discovered an extra hidden compositional design which I am very happy with. Here it is. I am still interested to hear your thoughts, I feel a bit sad replying to my own thread, and I will return the favour.

Cheers

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee83/markJJ/Devil-Woman_8.jpg

[Greenham]

Unfortunately, forum members seeking critique significantly outnumber those who are willing to offer it and we can't get to everybody's thread.

I like the concept and your work so far. If you're going to maintain that pose, I'd suggest you move her to the right of the image. The angle of her legs draw the eye up and to the left. As is, she's in the middle of the image and you effectively throw the eye out of the image. You want the viewer's attention to ultimately end up on the gates of hell. Moving her to the side of the image would do this. It doesn't have to be much. If you over do it, she will no longer appear as if she is guarding the gate.

Apart from that, everything looks pretty spot on to me.

[mark-jenkins]

Thanks Greenham, your comments are most appreciated. Although I was reluctant to move the gatekeeper to the right of the image because I didn't want to mess up my nice accidental pentagram composition I have nudged her over slightly. I think that this is enough to stop the angle of her legs throwing the viewers eye out of the frame whilst maintaining the composition.

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee83/markJJ/Devil-Woman_9.jpg

[Greenham]

It looks better as far as the way it directs the eye; however, you now have a bigger problem in that it looks slightly lop-sided. :sad: It's always a dangerous game playing around with other people's work.

At the moment, I'd be more inclined to suggest the first version. Or - and this is a more radical option - you widen your image and you really move her to the right and add something to the left of the image to balance it.

We'll see what other forum members think.

[matsman]

Hi!

well that is some interesting concept and especially so if you are going to hold the 5 point composition. however... I would do two things... First to strengthen that 5 point idea (which I think is now a gimmick you can read into it) try to put a few lines in your background... some structural beams for example... or maybe a line created by a painted wall design..
and have those lines point at the 5 point. I think its not to hard to try and do this so that the composition gets established and at the same time being subtle enough to not immediately catch the eye.

The second thing I would do is change the angle of the upper body. While there is indeed the problem of the legs pointing a certain direction, I think you can counter that with shifting the upper body somewhat. It'll be a more natural pose... which is better on the eyes anyway...and you also got your bottom line with her. And you countered the eye wavering problem.

Finally I think some big "sexy secretary" glasses are in place here. (and maybe a clipboard) just to make sure the point gets across.

Nice work!

[mark-jenkins]

Here is an update on how this is going. I think it is nearly finished but any last minute crits and suggestions would be most welcome

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee83/markJJ/Devil-Woman_18_colour.jpg

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