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Posts: 87
| snax the painting is great dont lisson to "Guest" and plus it was your first painting and everyone else is inpressed |
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Posts: 1636
| Looks pretty realistic to me...
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | One technique that I do want to master is how the light beams reflect on the bottom and on rocks etc. That is one of many items that I am working on improving. Also I want to learn how to do motion blurring to give the sense of motion. I don't think I'm any where near the level of Mark Sussino or Charles Weiss but I have my own style and the drive to keep on improving.
Loggin in and being a man about posting comments will give you far more credibility with me and likely with everyone else who reads it. |
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| Why should you listen? Because you asked for an honest evaluation from the gallery.
I'm sorry if you found it to be offensive. But at least two other people (including Musky Hunter Magazine) agree with me. You've gotten two negative comments and have been extremely defensive both times. If you only wanted positive feedback you should have said so. I genuinely think that if you took my comments into serious consideration you would create a better painting next time around, and it was my legitimate intent to help you improve.
Anyway, what do I care? How about this: Your painting is awesome and I love it. If you ever want to sell it, please post it at auction here so I can bid on it. You are very talented and I don't care what MHM says. We should start a petition to get you on the cover!
So explain to me, how does that last paragraph help you become a better painter? |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Once again you've failed to log in and say who you are and what your credentials are regarding art composition. I do appreciate the fact that you have posted your observations and believe it or not I always prefer honest feedback rather than people feeding my ego. What I posted was a detailed explanation of why the painting looks the way it does as well as some of the photos which I used as a reference for murky water. In one of the photos you can barely see 10 feet which is the look I wanted to achieve. I just happen to disagree with the points that you made and I also pointed out afterwards some of the things that I want to improve upon. Art by nature is very personal and if I feel I need to explain why things look the way they do I'll be happy to do so.
Your post came across as an anonymous person trying to stir the pot. If you have a background as a professional artist please let us know who you are so we can check out your work and perhaps learn from you. |
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| Well, for what it's worth I appreciate your last post. I'm not a professional artist. I'm not even an amateur artist. You should feel free to take my comments with a grain of salt. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | It's the anonymity factor that gets me (and others) to question the things you posted and not necessarily what you had to say. You've pointed out that you really have no art training or apparent painting ability which is why it's a good idea to log in so folks know who they are taking advice from. Now what if everything you suggested happened to be incorrect? I'm not saying it was ,but if I want to learn how to improve my painting abilities, I would benefit from actual artists who do this type of work right?
If I come across as overly defensive, I apologize for that. My work is very personal and I'm a perfectionist at heart but not yet in ability. With hard work, I hope to achieve that goal in the future. Only time will tell. By all means LOG IN and comment all you want and I'll be happy to take what you say with the grain of salt. |
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Posts: 1185
Location: Iowa | I have one question to ask all you "guest" people out there...you think you could do better?...bottom line...put up or shut up!...there is constructive criticism and then there is just plain jealousy...sounds more like jealousy to me...
Keep up the great work Mike...don't let those who can't do what you do get under your skin...you have some of the best paint jobs I have ever seen on those photos you posted justify you painting...can't wait to see it on the cover of Muskyhunter...
Big Perc |
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Posts: 1504
Location: Oregon | Not that it matters much but I was raised by parents that loved art, western art mostly, and they filled the house with paintings and various sculptures. Some of the paintings were very accurate and done by what are now quite famous artists. As I grew up I learned to look very carefully at art of all kinds.
Beyond tracing around my hand and fingers and making a "turkey" I can't paint a thing on canvas but I do think I have a good eye for what's "accurate". My point being that I don't think you have to be an artist to recognize "good art".
I honestly think the painting Mike did is quite good, particularly given the fact that he hasn't done many of them. Mike acknowledges that the painting has its weaknesses but it also has many strengths. And lets face it, no matter how good you are there will always be those that don't like it for one reason or another.
If you enjoy it keep at it Mike, after 500 of them you will be doing some unbelievable stuff.
jed v.
Edited by RiverMan 3/14/2007 4:43 PM
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I do indeed enjoy it Jed and I strive to be any where near as good as those who I admire. My painting for sure has things which can be improved upon and I look at it often and really scrutinize it. What is hard to do is to know when to stop and leave it be. It can drive you nuts picking apart every little thing which believe me, I do. I told myself that once I got it to where I felt I'd captured what was in my mind to put down the airbrush and step away. Thanks again for all the comments, good and bad and I will try to make the next one even better.
Edited by Musky Snax 3/14/2007 5:07 PM
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Posts: 267
Location: Ft. Wayne, Indiana | Snax, i have noticed that many of the cover paintings on musky hunter have the fish going after a bait that sponsors the magazine. Like a bulldawg or suick or salmo, etc...
just my 2 cents
BTW great job on the painting, hope to see many more.
Edited by Billy B 3/14/2007 5:56 PM
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | I agree that there is definitely more to getting a cover than just being a good artist. I didn't take it personally that this particular one wasn't something that they would use. My intention was to create something worthy of being on a cover with the hopes of it actually making it. So far so good in my quest and you'd better believe that I'll take all comments into consideration. I'm new to actually doing paintings such as this but I've studied the works of many other artists for years and years. I can remember drooling over Larry Tople's covers on the In-Fisherman magazines when I was a kid.
I also read a ton of books on painting techniques and subscribe to Airbrush Action Magazine. I really enjoy learning and applying each new lesson to something I've created.
Edited by Musky Snax 3/14/2007 6:11 PM
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Posts: 143
| Overall, I like it. I will say that you may have gone a tad overboard with the light effects, which causes the background to appear 'washed out' to me. now, from what you've said (i didn't read it all, i skimmed) it seems that's what you were going for, trying to replicate waters in your area. i like what you did in the foreground on the lower right, and also on the left side of the fish. but it seems that the upper part of the painting gets lost in what you attempted with the sunlight. your focus is supposed to be the fish, but something like that can detract from the piece as a whole.
all in all, that is a fine painting for your first. underwater presents an interesting challenge, cause there are so many different elements to it - what do you include/leave out? i have no doubt future efforts will be even better...i've seen your baits. the airbrush does give it a very cool effect, and that will only improve. i'm starting to think i may take up painting again...oil though. me + airbrush = fail.
also, the suckers don't look silly at all. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Excellent observations and I agree with all of them. I did go for a very dramatic sunbeam effect (As seen in one of the reference shots) but it could have been done with more subtlety. Thanks for your input. |
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Location: Oregon | I think he's right Mike, that's the problem, it should have had a Turmoil in its mouth!!! 
jed v. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Dang it! I KNEW something was missing!  |
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| Hey Snax you should have put a line on that sucker anyway it looks like your gliders any who. lol.
But really, paint 10 or 20 more and eventually they will like one, if not I'm purty sure they have their own agenda with the sponsors. The lure on the covers tend to be the centre of attraction if you know what I'm saying.
I wouldn't be upset, that would be like me painting my first lure and it wasn't as nice as yours are. Either way you'll have the paintings hanging at home to show your progress over time.
And yes I am a guest. I'll sign up later, GbayGiant is my handle on other sites though.
Snax I'm just down the road north of Parry Sound where the monsters swim.
John. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Snax, that's beautiful work. We'd be happy to feature it on OUR cover, anytime. |
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Posts: 1529
| snax very well done. thru the years all i could draw was un-employment. insurance. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | sworrall - 3/17/2007 5:46 AM
Snax, that's beautiful work. We'd be happy to feature it on OUR cover, anytime.
If you are serious about that offer, you have my permission...and then some! lol
By the way, my buddy Tigger will be recieving the Bluegill that we are donating to MuskieFirst soon. I painted one side and he's going to work his incredible artistry to the other. This bait is also featured in one of the how-to articles on the Iwata-Medea website.
The first two basic articles are up and the others will be coming soon. I'll add the link once the others articles including the Bluegill are on the site in a few days. |
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Posts: 311
| Snax, Looks great, keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 179
Location: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | Snax,
You shouldn't even worry or for that matter answer this so called "guest's" comments....obviously he is someone that is just trying to be derogatory about everything. He makes BS comments about everyone who posts. It's pretty easy to be tough on line.....
I think your painting is great, especially for your first one. Your talent speaks for itself. Keep up the great, inspiring work.
Rod |
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Posts: 351
| For what its worth, I have been around art for much my life. My brother is an airbrush artist and by that I do not mean he's a hobbyist. He makes a six-figure living doing it and hanging around with him when he's on the phone is like listening to a who's who list of nationally recognized artists from all over America, Canada, and elsewhere.
Its funny that you mention the airbrush magazine you read regularly, Snax. He writes for them and has taught classes for them and others. His videos on airbrushing and pinstriping are for sale in that particular magazine, if I recall correctly. (I prefer not to reveal his name, because in doing so, I reveal mine and that's sometimes a bad idea, but I wish I could post his website, because his work will absolutely knock your socks off.)
Now that doesn't make my opinion worth more or less than anyone else's because art is by nature subjective and opinion's are like bellybuttons, everyone has one. But I've got to say it takes a lot of stones to not only put your first attempt on this website and ask for opinions good or bad, but to go ahead and actually try to get it published on the cover of a relatively well-known periodical. I admire that type of ambition very much and I think your painting was very good.
That type of airbrush work is very different that shading, fading, and squirting scales on a piece of wood. It requires a feel for scale on a much larger level and a knowledge of how to get detail from your head to the canvas. No easy task and you can't easily start over.
My brother and I often discuss the dilemma you mentioned about knowing where and when to "stop." He's made his living with brushes, an airbrush, and paint, and to this day he still wrestles with that question on every single piece he works on.
Keep at it, Snax, and take what you can from it. It'll only make your lures better. |
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Location: Minnesota | I scuba some and it looks just like the real thing to me! Never seen a muskie eat but have seen some. Will be diving Waconia this spring. If I can rent a camera I will to get some shots if I seen any fishies for you.
Great work SNAX! I would be happy to have that on my wall at work or home.
James
Edited by Grunt Lures 3/18/2007 1:46 PM
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Thanks Fatfingers,
I am sure I could figure out who your brother is from your description but I'd never reveal it publicly. You are correct in saying that it takes some big "stones" to do my first painting and hope for a cover in the biggest Musky publication. That's just the way I do things since my younger brother passed away. I go for what I want all the way. If I fail, I just do it better the next time. There's no harm in trying and wanting to get better every time out.
I went from being a complete new kid on the block in fall of 2005 to being a bait maker who's influence can be seen in most of the gliders we see being made today. I'm of course referring to the carved details, fishy shapes and lifelike detailed paint jobs. That's not being boastful, just stating the facts. The others that came before me influenced me in the same way and I just took it to a higher level.
The only way to succeed in life or at this type of thing is to believe in yourself and to put your money where your mouth is. So far it has served me very well. Thanks again everyone for all your comments and suggestions. You'll see them expressed in my future work.
Edited by Musky Snax 3/18/2007 2:35 PM
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Posts: 106
Location: Michigan | That comment was very well put Snax. |
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Posts: 680
Location: Muskoka Ontario,Canada | Hey folks, I just finished a new painting which doesn't feature any fish but was done to try to get a grasp of doing the backgrounds we see in many musky paintings. No where near perfect for sure but I sure had fun trying new techniques out. I really utilized the control of my newer Iwata Micron and Hi-Line airbrushes in doing this piece. In particular the mist drifting across the darker areas where tricky to do without that added control.
When you see the actual painting, the sun and sunbeams are done with a pearlescent paint that really "shines". Cool effect that will look great when applied to the underwater scenes I prefer to paint.
Edited by Musky Snax 3/23/2007 6:45 AM
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