LJ and NJ

Between last week’s post and today this painting has undergone several iterations of birds.  I darkened the light areas of the gulls so they wouldn’t stand out so much.  Also moved a few around as well as adding more.  Added more cormorants, as well as a couple of gulls, to the top of the rock, and am attempting to keep them in silhouette.

One (maybe minor?) issue that emerged is that the dark feathers on the backs of the gulls which are down in the rocks blends in with the background rocks, so you can’t see where the bird ends and the rock begins, and vice versa.  I have not quite figured out what to do about this.  On the one hand, i don’t want to lighten up the rocks too much because that won’t look correct.  On the other hand, i need to keep contrast between the light and dark parts of those birds. And if i lighten up the light areas those birds may once again become focus, which i do not want.  And while I am at it, i am considering deleting all the birds except the ones atop the rocks.  Open to suggestions!!