The Emerging Turtle: Oil crayon and graphite

[Don Schaeffer]

[Loupey]

Hi, Don.

Since this is a photography forum, I'll talk about the photo - it seemed like a really great (albeit fleeting I'm sure) opportunity with the colors, water ripples, and that turtle. Can you describe how that scene developed? The image seems to be a high crop and pushed in processing.

I don't normally like a high vantage point for shots like these (critters on/in water), but the ripples and colors really work with this angle. I wish the original had better image quality.

[gahspidy]

Those of us that are familar with Don's work know that he tends to go very extreme in post processing, well beyond what most of us would be comfortable with. Sometime it works for me and sometimes not.
In this case it works pretty well in enhancing the somewhat abstract/painterly aesthetic of the image. I agree with Loupey in that I normally do not like a "typical" vantage point of looking down on the subject in the water like this but with all the color and swirls/ripples creating this abstract, i think its ok.
i do prefer the photo over the painting here. There is a smooth and fluid texture and form in the photo that enhances. The turtle is almost a secondary element with the colors and patterns being the meat of the composition. In your painting it seems you tried to make it more about the turtle, and there is also too much emphasis on the ripples. they have lost that fluid and smooth way about it in the photograph.

[LeeIs]

Lovely rendition Don. You achieved and almost 'water colour' feel to this.