Circus Clown by Cassie


I was trying to make a circus scene and trying to make a lot of 3-D images. I think that the colors, the depth, and the clown work well.

Feedback Requested:

I want to know if I should put color between the heads in the audience.

Hi Cassie,

Your clown jack-in-the-box looks very festive and circus-like. I think you have done a great job with the balloons, the shading on the box and the shadow on the ground by the box. It makes the box truly sit on the ground. Do the beach balls cast any shadows? Can you make a shadow under a beach ball that shows us that it is up in the air?

You asked about color between the heads of the audience. I have two questions back which might help you decide what you want to do. If you put color between the heads would you use the same color from bottom front to top back? or would you vary the color and why? My other question is: if you put a darkish color behind your clown (in other words, paint between the heads) will the arena look bigger or smaller? Another way to ask that question is: will the clown come forward at all?

You can find the answers to these questions by Xeroxing your picture and coloring on the Xerox. Have a great time exploring -

Sally, Mentor

Dear Sally,

Thank you very much for all your great ideas. What do you think of my picture now? This is what we did. We darkened in the background, darker on the top and lighter on the bottom. I put a shadow underneath the ball. I did this all in Photoshop.

Sincerely yours, Cassie

Hi Cassie: I am following your conversation with Sally and I can see that you have taken her suggestions to heart and explored! Plus you worked with Photoshop! Congratulations!!! Let me begin with your first posting. I was joyfully impressed to see your clown, your balloons, balls and the audience so colorful and happy. You have done a good job with the shading of the cube and the spheres. The light source is clearly coming from the right. The texture of the floor looks good. And you blended the pencil colors well. I also enjoyed seeing all these heads of moms and dads and children. You were very patient to put them so nicely in the rows. Something happened with your color scheme in the second posting. We have more cool colors and the yellow looks washed out. Also, the clown seems to have moved onto the same level as the audience. Let me ask you a few questions: What do you think of the change in color? Have you worked with layers in Photoshop? Can you select the audience without changing the foreground? Can you bring the warmer hues back into the picture? I wonder what your response is to these questions and/or whether you are finished with this piece. I look forward to see more of your work posted.

Heidemarie, Mentor

Dear Heidemarie and Sally,

I am finally finished! Thank you so much! Both of your ideas are great. I love how the picture came out. I couldn't have done it without you both! Thanks!

Sincerely, Cassie

Dear Cassie: Wow! Congratulations! You have certainly done an excellent job with your three postings.

In your last posting you picked up the shadow on the ball, and you changed the space around the heads in the audience from light to dark. Excellent observation, and it works! The clown is very happy about having more space to be noticed. Hurrah!

Cassie, have a great vacation and keep doing your special art work. I can't wait to see your next postings.

Heidemarie, Mentor

Hi Cassie,

The clown looks so great! He is in his surroundings and clearly on the floor, because of his shadow, and now there is so much space behind him!!!!

You made some great choices and I am particularly enjoying your colors. They are very harmonious.

Thanks for posting your final piece. It means a lot to see other artist's final choices.

Sally, Mentor

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