Opinions Needed

Yes, Phyllis...they're not a color of clouds found in any sky I've ever seen. Forgive me but they almost look dirty...and being distracting, that's where my eye goes. The birds are gorgeous though...but I only see them after I've looked at the clouds.

Thanks Joy, perhaps pale yellows then. Or should I try pale oranges? Opinions again please!!! I am fried. ;[

Nice job Phyllis..maybe make the center cloud smaller like the others I feel it takes over the paintings focus..unless that is what you wanted..just a suggestion.

Thanks Jason, you are probably correct also. The cloud definitely needs to be toned down in EVERY way.

My eye is drawn to the cloud first. The cloud and dark sky are overpowering the picture. It's almost 2 different paintings.
The water reflects a light sky. The birds and water are very well done.
I would lighten the sky,lighten the cloud. Perhaps,make the cloud smaller or several small clouds.
Hope this helps.
Kathy

I am thinking very very toned down and cooler tones....its really taking the focus off the bird for sure

The color is a little off for clouds but for me the problem is more that they do not go with the blue sky...they look like the clouds of a sunset...with a yellow/orange sky they would look more right in those warm colors...but then that wouldn't work with the cool of the rest of it.

I think it is a great painting...the rest of it has a lot going on and the colors you used seem like the misty morning colors of a gray/green morning...sort of foggy with an early kind of light. I think no matter what color the clouds are they just might fight with the bird and his outstretched wings.

I agree with Val, the clouds aren't necessarily wrong, they are just wrong for this painting. Nothing else about the painting says "sunset".

I'd remove the cloud completely...it's getting much too busy. This wonderful painting should be all about the birds...
Whatever color you paint them, they will be fighting the real centers of attraction.

Your birds are gorgeous as always!

Yikes, it's a painting.

It's such agony to make changes, but you asked, and so I must say:

I see indecision as to which way you want to go with the color cast. At present, the canvas seems split between two different color worlds - (1) the world with the big bird and the brown clouds, and (2) the world with the other three birds and the foreground. The first is trying to be warm. The second is trying to be cool. I want to see them brought into agreement - either the foreground gets in color harmony with the big bird and cloud part, or the big bird and cloud part gets in color harmony with the foreground.

Besides this, the shape and placement of that brown cloud annoys me. The "v" in that big brown clout exactly cradles the head of the big bird, which is too obviously placed this way, and also, when you look at this as a thumbnail, it looks like the big bird has smoke blowing out both its ears. Sorry to sound funny on that, but I'm serious.

The big cloud mass needs to be less contrived with respect to that bird. Maybe it needs to be shifted to the left, and de-emphasized a bit. I don't think that it needs to disappear, as Marlene B. suggested. It just needs to be re-worked (if possible) in terms of positioning and coloring.

Otherwise, I am envious of your painting skills. I have no business advising you, I suppose. But my eyes can detect what my hands cannot execute, if this makes any sense.

I would also suggest as a fellow painter to not scratch the clouds completely but use nice pockets of negative space with your blue's to break them up a bit, very beautiful painting however you choose to finish.

I agree with Marlene. I think it would look best with out the clouds. It you decide to keep them I think it would look best to be much lighter and have much less contrast. This would put the focus back on the more delicate and wonderful birds.

I agree with each and every one of you and so appreciate your feedback. I will work on it tomorrow and see what happens. Advice to self and others for the day, Never paint when you are tired and have multiple things on your mind!

What colors would you guys go with for the sky ? The birds in the foreground and the wharf are not that silvery as they appear, just very wet paint. Did I mention how tired I am? LOL

Depends - if you were up here where they are always doing controlled burns (or sometimes uncontrolled happens) clouds are like that. But they don't look "normal" for the beach.

OK, so I'll show you my Pelican Sky

As usual Phyllis, the birds are beautiful - but that 'warm' cloud looks like the Pelican took a long toke on a cigar and has it coming out it's 'ears'. LOL

You guys are too funny!

Phyllis Beiser I think as an artist you have a right to make images as a medium of your expression.Be it good or bad to others should not matter.Your work should not be created to please others but an expression of your inner most joy.Follow your instincts and do or don't do any changes.
I must add that I am not a painter but just a photography enthusiast.But above is my honest opinion.

I think a nice white...maybe tinged with sunset colors, but mostly white...these look a bit "dirty"

I would remove the cloud and the top bird. these are out of sync with the rest of the painting.

Try looking at the painting upside down to help you tweek the clouds.. The cloud just needs a little tweeking not a major overhaul. If that doesn't help you might try lightening the cloud from the left towards the right but don't take the dark completely out... Add a mutted white colored fluff in and around the cloud to help it not be as heavy... The painting is beautiful! You do lovely work.

Your birds are amazing. For this painting, I would lighten up the clouds to match the silverish tones of the posts and water reflections at the bottom, and either lighten the top section of the sky or darken some of the lower sky instead of having the top dark and the lower sky light. I think you will figure it out and it will be great.

Love the shape of the clouds but the brown color is reminiscent of what the clouds looked like in LA during the mid 70s before smog rules for cars and gas stations (during which time they also used to cancel recess and PE at school on particularly bad days). I feel like a gray with a little lavender in it might be a better option than the brown.

Phyllis - Love the composition of your painting.

I do not like that straight dark line at the bottom of the cloud cutting through the Pelicans head. Perhaps lighten and soften so as less distracting.

But I love the depth that deep blue sky creates, therefore I think this image is begging for some pinkish to orange in that cloud.

I would lighten/soften or completely remove the clouds. They are quite distracting, whereas the rest of your painting is gorgeous.

yet again I just love as-is. The cloud bothers me not in the slightest and gives atmosphere that is lacking in some nature paintings.

I like it

Phyllis I think the sky colors you have just above the foliage before you hit the clouds are perfect!

They look fine to me. I have seen clouds that color many times around sunset. It's a really nice picture.

The painting is overall very nice but the clouds take the focus away from the main subject, the birds, I would suggest just subduing the clouds !

Fluffy white clouds or no clouds at all. That is my opinion. If the flying bird is the focal point, White clouds or no clouds at all would accomplish that.

I haven't read all the comments so sorry if repeat. The color of the clouds don't bother me because it could pass as a late evening, causing the clouds to reflect the sunset. What bothers me is the majority of the painting has a cool tone to it, and then the sky has a warm tone. It's beautiful other than that. Nice work.

O.K.. Have taken all advise into consideration, no clouds at all was too much dead space with all of the action going on below. What I decided on was to cool down and lighten the sky, reduce, cool off and soften the clouds. There is glare as the paint is sopping-wet but what do you all think now?

I'd need a pic, Phyllis, to make that determination! lol

Sorry Marlene, my paster was stuck!!! I put it on the op so they would be next to each other for comparison. Now the lower birds are dry enough that their true color is apparent.

There ya go! Looks great...glad you changed colors and reshaped the clouds and thinned them out...another beauty of a painting!

Looks great Phyllis. In the first one he head of the flying bird was lost in the cloud and that was my chief objection. As for the color I can only say that in the southern US latitudes and the Gulf in particular the clouds take on a variety of colors, from blue to lime green to pink, orange and yellow so the color itself did not bother me.

Thanks Marlene and Brad and you are correct Brad. The Southern Gulf states have the most amazing sunrise and sunsets. The closer you get to the equator, the more colorful and vivid the sky is.

Wow - looks great . Makes that bird " pop " .

Perfect.

Yup, the white clouds in the sky... that is the one.

Thanks guys and gals. Now I have to name it and get a better photo when dry. I appreciate all of your help and suggestions.

wow - much better, I love it.

I like it... loved the other one though ;)

I love it Phyllis! Maybe now you can do one with those awesome sunset clouds :)

Much better. Love it. Looks like one setting now. I also like Val's idea of also doing a warmer toned one.

I'll be looking forward to the final image, Phyllis!

Looks wonderful!!!!!

Thanks all! I will do a painting soon in those warmer tones. Just have to figure the whole thing out first.

Love it Phyllis - beautiful birds and sky