So I have a bunch of different color versions of one drawing and I can't choose which is the best. hexbears please give me your opinions.

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[IDs: 5 different color versions of one drawing. The drawing shows a young man with long hair, wearing an orange and yellow hanfu; and a Chinese phoenix swirling up besides him. /end ID]

  • Ideology [she/her]
    ·
    2 months ago

    Personal Opinion:

    1. looks like it has a filter on which flattens the image
    2. a lot of people will be drawn to the saturation. It's my second favorite but I think the foreground colors are all fighting for your attention and it's rather busy.
    3. same "filter" effect as 1
    4. same "filter" effect as 1
    5. I like the contast of light and shadow on this one, which gives an effect like burning embers. The bright parts of the tail especially stand out more and look as though they're producing their own light. The man being more in shadow also creates some depth where he appears to actually be under the phoenix and it's easier to focus on him.

    If you have the time/energy, it might help to mix elements of 2 and 5. Some strategically placed shadows/desaturation would help the saturated parts glow even more and create depth.

    • FishLake@lemmygrad.ml
      ·
      2 months ago

      I would choose 5 as well. The background light source also has more clear directionality by first illuminating the character and then the wisps on the phoenix’s. With the other opinions, the light source appears more diffuse and would probably not create such sharp shadows on the character.

      But I do enjoy palette of the more saturated renderings of the phoenix, especially 2. Maybe take some of that vibrancy from the lighter portions of the phoenix’s wings in option 2 and apply it to option 5? Then you won’t have to articulate a competing light source on the character, though some thin rim lighting might look good anyway.