Which Is Better?

I like Blues 2! A lot!

Absolutely the 2nd one, Phyllis. That clump of grass helps to lead your eye around the painting, taking in all aspects of it. Also the light just gives everything more depth and life.

I agree! I prefer the the 2nd one!

#2! I love the light and the detail in that version.

Thanks Jai, Jessica, Joy and Kathleen. I was sure hoping to hear that as I have been known to destroy my work by second guessing it and this was a complicated one because of the water detail. I would have sat down and cried if I had ruined it!

SB2 is better. It has more light. The first is too grey and dull looking fro me.

Two is better. It's brighter and the grass in back adds to the painting.

Phyllis, #2 definitely, as always you produce such amazing art! the highlights, the depth. Its perfect as is!

If anything, I would add just a few more stray blades of grass (3-4)to the left of the clump so as not to have an abrupt end to it and a few stray ones in the left bottom corner. Not too much to distract but to encourage the flow of the eye.

#2, for sure.

It's settled, #2! lol

The 2nd, but without the clump of grass

#2...Great choices in adding more interest and light!

Phyllis
Definitely 2. Better light - grass balances tonal composition better - more variety to lead the eye

@Sharon Cummings - great flower/face foto

@James....We have those hibiscus growing in our yard. :)

No 2 is more finished but I think you need to work on the wall of grass in the background. the dark green is too over powering. I would tone it dark and add a touch of yellowish green with some highlights to push it back a bit.

I agree with everyone else - version 2 is much better. The clump of reeds allows the highlight on the back of the bird's head to really shine and adds interest and draws the eye where you, the artist, likely wanted it to go - to the bird.

Lovely painting.

Whatever you like best.

2

I find it amazing that someone that can paint so beautifully could have any doubt or confusion about her work. But then I think about my little digital creations and how sometimes looking at a work a day after I thought I was finished with it, I find I was off on the color or placement of an element, or something. "Fresh eyes", whether your own or someone else's, can really help a lot :)

#2 Better light, better details, and more elements in the composition to draw and hold the viewer's attention. The tones and contrast are far more dynamic in #2 which is also why it catches the eye more than the first one.

Number 2 for sure. Much more dynamic and interesting.

I agree with Julie. I couple more stray, shorter grass strands just to the left of the clump. It's a beautiful painting. No. 2 for sure!

O.K. just as Marlene said, It's settled. #2 it is. Thanks for all of the wonderful inputs. And Alfred, agreed. As soon as it dries enough, I will highlight the grass more. @ Joy, I think when we stop questioning ourselves, we grow stagnant and stop growing. Thanks so much.

Blues 2 without reservation. Really nice painting.