Painting B&W Lesser Goldfinch

Hi Folks;

Here's a Lesser Goldfinch from our garden, first converted to B&W in LR3. Painting done in free Fotosketcher with Stroke border and finishing done in CS5.

Comments always welcome and appreciated

Gus :2eyes2:

This is the Original

Hey Gus,
Like the original and in the OP.....debating the brighter area at the top as it draws the eye out of the frame. Is there any way to tone it down because the textures and more subdued colors work very well....just the brighter bit detracts so perhaps toning it more like that area in the UR? Just some food for thought and let's see what others chime in.

Hi Gus, another nice "painting" I wonder if the face needs to be a tad brighter.

Gus, I agree w/ Roman regarding the bright area at the top. Both images are very nice. HAP might be visiting but I think the bill is showing nicely.

Very nicely done! This was a great choice for B&W. The bird seems to get lost in the background on the original, but the B&W really pulls him away and emphasizes the BG less.

Well Folks;

I thank you for your kind words. However, I agee with Roman, and after some repair in CS5, Cropping lower border, flipping it horiz, moving to top, adjusting stroke, I came up with this.

Comments always appreciated

Gus :2eyes2:

Very nice work, Gus. I love the composition, and the B&W looks nice. Toning down the bright spot at the top was definitely the way to go, though it looks like the midtones also got darkened in the repost.

Ok, lightened . . .