Monday, January 07, 2008

I-F: 100%

This is 100% the same composition as my last IF post for "soar"!


I have been going through a colour crisis lately. Ever since I read Penelope's post on colour, I've been looking at my own work differently. I tend to go for the really bright, happy, punchy colours, but sometimes they are so bright that they look a bit fluoro and garish.

When looking at other IF entries for "soar," I took careful note of which ones I liked, and a lot of them had really earthy palettes. So I thought I'd try something different, but using a previous composition so that I could really compare the two.

So what do you think??!! I've wanted to update my illo-of-the-month for January on my website, but not sure which one to choose, so please help me decide!! Leave me a comment and let me know which one you like best - bright (soar) or earthy (100%) ?

19 comments:

Rui Sousa said...

Nice colors, really nice!
www.ruisousaartworks.blogspot.com

Nikki said...

You know, I would rather see the bright colors!
Not many artists use paint the way you do... I can think of one other artist that works in a bright color palette, I own all of her books...
Jan Cabrera! I love your work for almost the same reason I love hers! The color and the line quality!

Rachelle Anne Miller said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachelle Anne Miller said...

I prefer the brighter colours for this illo. I definitely don't find them tacky or garish!

I really enjoy more muted colours too but I find it really tricky to get it right. Contrast is important and when I try to do more muted colours, the contrast disappears and it doesn't have the same vibrancy. Especially if you're illustrating for kids - bright colours work so well :)

sheree boyd said...

difficult decision --- i like them both

i tend to do bright colors as well, but actually prefer earthy colors :)

i like the texture on this one and how the black shows through :)

Danielle McDonald said...

Hi Kim. I could not wait to see this one! I really like the softer palette but I don't think it has the same power or emotion as your brighter version. Lovely to see you experimenting and pushing your boundaries though!

Erin Sherman said...

Good point, that we should beware of becoming "flouro," but for this I think the brighter colors are better and are not too bright. The duller color version changes the feeling of it to more like a rainy day.

Dot said...

I think the colors you used are appropriate for the subject. But it's great to challenge yourself and experiment in new palettes too :)

Kstyles said...

Great painting. She looks like she's having a lot of fun.

steve said...

Great redo here! i do like the original, but I prefer this one personally, and that's the thing, I think many times color is indeed a personal thing, depending on mood, personality, etc. keep up the cool experimentation and kudos to you for trying something new!

sketched out said...

I think both versions are just lovely. You're so talented, you make them both work. Great that you took the time to challenge yourself.

I tend to prefer muted or earthy colors personally, but I think brighter colors work really well for children's art. Either way, you pulled it off famously!

Miz K said...

Love both versions - if you feel like bright colors, stick with them! I do the same thing! I love the idea of reworking, though - I may have to copy you!

NANCY LEFKO said...

I go for the bright !! I love the contrast between her hair, the bird and the background....they are not garish, they just have great POP !!

Catalina Alvarez said...

Both are beautiful.
But the last one is my favorite.
Thanks for your comment in my blog.
Cata

Timothy Hunt said...

Kim,

I think the bright colours in the first suit the subject matter better for "soar", but I do like the playfullness of the collage in no.2.

Thanks for your comment on my work.

Tim.

Carolina Grönholm said...

I think both are great! It's hard making ones mind up about that, I'm the same that way. Thank you for your comment on my blog.
Happy crafting!
Carolina

Lucía Borjas said...

I like both of them. Happy new year!

lil kim said...

I think BRIGHT wins over EARTHY in a landslide. Thanks for all your comments everyone!
It's nice to hear that the bright colours aren't too garish!
Will keep at it :-)

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

My preference is the colors of this one, but both are great!