Overdone?

[CLKunst]

Well It's been a crazy busy week for me and sorry for crashing without critiquing for the week, promise I'll catch up when I buy some time. I think I may be losing my objective edge here and I need some input on this please. Attached is the original image [forgive me, it's not under my copywrite but is in my care for duplication. I would not otherwise post except for the sake of comparison.] And my "graphic" interpretation. The second image is intended as a cover treatment/closing image for a 70th birthday video image collage I am creating for a lady's 70th birthday party and is intended to be "artistic interpretation of a beloved image" ~ but is it over the top? Critiques and comment welcome. Suggestions cheerfully explored ~ but leave the adjusting to me!

[gahspidy]

I like the painting effect you applied and feel it works great on this image. I just feel that you have lost too much of the photo and have too much of the colored mask/border. Expand the image more and I think you have it goin on here.

[CLKunst]

OK GARY~

I really like the painted effect too. That's why I posted. Here is another variation. How about this?

[jspot1980]

The second one seems to be a bit better than the first, however; maybe you could put a slight border around it just to keep it from looking so box like. Also, maybe a little more detail should show through, at least for the left eye. It kinda looks funny.

[gahspidy]

Great. Just feather the edges similiar to what you had originally. I like it.

[CLKunst]

Thanks so much for the help with this one Gary and Jspot. My idea was to make this look a bit like a wine label or a travel sticker. I think I'm just about done with it. Here's the last version.

[LeeIs]

The last is best! like how the foot sticks out and truely ends this composition. We're taught to read from top left to bottom right, so the foot is the exit, the bye bye and thanks for looking farewell.

[CLKunst]

The last is best! like how the foot sticks out and truely ends this composition. We're taught to read from top left to bottom right, so the foot is the exit, the bye bye and thanks for looking farewell.

Thank you Liban, I like this version the most too and I agree with you it's her foot and leg that really make this work. I just loved this shot the moment I saw it and wanted to do something special to work it into the theme. Now I just hope the subject approves.