looking for constructive crit.

[leelastarsky]

Particularly from ivylore  or anyone else who has had the good fortune to see an aurora.

Are the colours too 'pretty'?  The theme of the book is that everything (particularly polar bears) are all the same colour, so the aurora is supposed to stand out.

Anyway, I'd like to hear your opinions.  :~)

(cross posting to artbeta so I'm sorry if you get this

Comments

[rhoswen_rosier]

I think it looks beautiful and very real. Maybe a little more white light in some of the aurora though?

Valerie

[leelastarsky]

Valerie?! Hi! *friends* You've already 'friended' me... sorry I didn't notice! *feels guilty*

Anyway, thanks for the comments! A little more white might help take the edge off the colour. :~)

[thewhiteowl]

Yes, I think that the aurora should have more white too--it tends to be slightly paler than that when they're all swirly. It's a lovely pic!

[leelastarsky]

Thanks! It's difficult when it's something you've never seen yourself. Photo references help of course, but they can only take you so far. :~)

[myf]

Myf here - haven't logged in.

Leela, that is absolutely stunning. I know nothing about art, but I know what I like (;)) and that looks just gorgeous. If I saw in it a book, I'd want to buy it.

*is astounded by the talent*

[myf]

except now I have logged in. *hits LJ*

[leelastarsky]

Thanks Myf! I have another to do. Here's hoping the publisher like them, eh? ;~)

It's lovely!

[ivylore]

I think it's beautiful, Leela! Not "too pretty" at all. The auroras are incredibly varied (ranging from the mundane to the spectacular). And that's the exact shade of green I always see.

It's funny - we've had a huge Coca Cola Campaign running up here during the winters which depicts a mother polar bear resting with her cubs (drinking Coca Cola, of course) and looking up at the Northern night sky. This drawing totally taps into Canadian pop (no pun intended) culture for me.

Re: It's lovely!

[leelastarsky]

Ooo, I'm sure we had those ads here. They were all CGI? Very cute.

I've updated the pic; tell me what you think. :~)

[suehypno]

What a fantastic piece! It makes me homesick for my home in Wisconsin! We don't get them down in Virginia and so it's been a few years since I've seen one, but the colors are spot-on. Maybe just a hint more white--even though it's night, the snow would reflect some light as well. Please keep us informed when that book comes out--I've love to buy it.

[leelastarsky]

Thanks, Sue. Check out the update in the next post. :~) I've softened it a bit.

[may_child]

Beautiful illo, Leela!

[leelastarsky]

Thanks! :~)