I wanted this image to feel cozy and heartwarming, with the warm oranges, pinks, and purples. My initial thumbnail had a robed Hestia standing over a hearth fire, with a long cast shadow. This would have been an epic composition, but I felt it might read as too spooky, and I also didn't want it to feel too similar to Demeter's image, so I chose to go with the more quaint and calm seated figure. I'm always trying to ascertain the focal points in a hierarchy of information, so in this case, the chaste tree, fire-in-hand, and golden ivy wreath are the lightest and brightest values, and thus, focal points. Our eyes tend to move to the points of highest contrast first, so artists can use this to their advantage when directing the viewer's eyes.
I wanted this image to feel cozy and heartwarming, with the warm oranges, pinks, and purples. My initial thumbnail had a robed Hestia standing over a hearth fire, with a long cast shadow. This would have been an epic composition, but I felt it might read as too spooky, and I also didn't want it to feel too similar to Demeter's image, so I chose to go with the more quaint and calm seated figure. I'm always trying to ascertain the focal points in a hierarchy of information, so in this case, the chaste tree, fire-in-hand, and golden ivy wreath are the lightest and brightest values, and thus, focal points. Our eyes tend to move to the points of highest contrast first, so artists can use this to their advantage when directing the viewer's eyes.
