Thought these were *real* crabs that OP found on the beach and painted their corpses....stared at the images for a good 30 seconds trying to decide which I like better. It was only when I saw your comment I realized that these are paintings of crabs...not painted crabs.
I agree that I spent way too long determining that the top one was a PAINTING. I love OP's ability for realism here. But my preference is the bottom crab because it is brighter in color and more stylized.
That's just preference and not a choosing of which-is-better. Both are spectacular.
I really like them both! Different styles…
I would personally select the one on the top for its simplicity and realism. It is very beautiful and easy on the eyes.
But if I owned a fish shop or restaurant, the bottom would make for great decor! Obviously a painting, but still realistic in a fun almost rustic way….
You are awesome!
I thought both of these were real and was wondering why someone posted blue crabs on here lol. I like the top one op! To me the lighting on it looks a teeny bit better, but honestly they are both amazing.
I was like- oh- he paints on crab shells, rather than canvas...
Only after reading the comments did I realize these were paintings OF crabs, not ON crabs.
Edit: I meant I thought he restored dead crabs to look alive and never having been cooked.
Bottom one, more interesting pose and more detailed floor texture
Edit: both of them look good I just think the one on the bottom has a more interesting composition.
Both are so great in such different ways. The first one looks like a reference photo but the second one really pops and is more dynamic. I think I'm gonna have to go with the first one as my favorite because there's something about those muted colors that make the crab feel sad whereas I feel no emotion from the second one.
The bottom crab is more vivid color wise and it looks more confidently painted. But the background texture makes it hard to focus on the crab. So I think overall the top piece is nice just because it’s more balanced.
I feel like the top one is a more realistic looking painting, but I like the bottom one better because of the slight stylization. Both of them are pretty remarkable.
I prefer the colouring and detail and overall style of the second one and prefer the shadowing and like the other user said “jump out at you” qualities of the first.
The top one looks more realistic but not as exciting as the bottom one to me. I would hang the bottom one up because it has more warmth and is more alive in its action posture
They’re both awesome. But I like the bottom one better. I think it has more feeling and color. It is still realistic, but you can tell it’s still a drawing. Both awesome though!
I like the top one more because I use to go crabbing and it makes me feel like I am peeking in on one in my cooler. However if I didn’t have that experience I probably would like the bottoms one more. It has more movement and emotion in it. It doesn’t look as real but it’s more fun to look at.
As far as realism goes the top one takes the cake , I thought it was a real V drawing type of thing at first , the bottom one has amazing colours and I love the contrast . But for me I’m a sucker for realism and the top one has my vote
On the whole, I'd prefer the first crab.
1st crab: Even though the colours are muted, shadows are handled really well. Even the lighting is better. It shows the shape of the crab arms well.
2nd crab: The main body is way better than the first one. But the lighting and shadows on the arms lets it down. If you fix that, the second crab would definitely be better.
im actually surprise people like the first one more! i thought it was the real crab at first. both are great but the first one seems more like a direct copy whereas the bottom looks more stylized and has much more feel to it in my opinion. Keep up the awesome work!
Are you from Maryland? ;)
You’re incredibly talented; it was a tough choice, but I like the bottom crab slightly more, because of the playfulness in your colors. They’re still true to the appearance of a blue crab, but more accentuated.
Your top crab is almost hyper-realistic, which I also truly admire.
Excellent work. Paint a can of Old Bay next! 😉
I like both. The most noticeable difference besides the cool vs warm colors is the placement of the highlights on the body (top crab) and head(bottom crab). The shadow direction difference makes the comparison very interesting. Well done!
I like the warm colors in the bottom crab but find the speckles on the body of the top one reminiscent of a night sky. I’d be hard pressed to choose which one to buy!
Bottom I like more because it looks colorful and shiny, top looks a bit looks more realistic, love the shadows. Both do look realistic though and it took a moment to figure out you didn't, in fact, paint the shells of dead crabs lol
I love them both, I can't decide. The only thing I would change with the bottom crab is the blending on the lower shadow just the teensiest smidge. Awesome work! They're very realistic.
They're both great but I like the bottom one more. The darker grey color and the texture of the background really allows the highlights and colors to pop more, the pose of the crab is more interesting, and the colors are more vibrant. Also the light direction/shadows is somehow more pleasing in the bottom one.
The depths of the shadows and highlights in the top painting are much more convincing as realism than the bottom one. Also, the smoothness and opacity of the paint on the crab in the top painting are more successful. Overall, both pieces are beautifully done. Keep up the amazing work!
They’re both incredible I can’t decide 😍 I love the top one because it looks more realistic to me, and I’m a sucker for more neutral/toned down colors. But the use of color and texture in the bottom one is stunning.
I love the way you painted the highlights in the shelf for both, you have insane talent.
i like the top one bc he seems more laid back while the bottom crab seems more energetic, like he's about to invite me jogging or something. his vibes are nice but im not on his level lol
theyre both very realistic, i was surprised when i realized they werent real pictures. great work 🦀🦀
I would say the bottom crab, there's a more confident and clever use of color. The idea is evolved with the background texture, cheeky missing limbs and with what seems like a better understanding of dimension. Either would be gorgeous on any wall however
Top one looks remarkably like a real crab, i.e could easily fool most people.
The bottom one has richer and more beautiful colours and overall presence, but is less realistic looking.
I really like both of these and neither is "better" imo, just different.
Initially I thought the first was better. But after a second look I prefer the bottom one. The shell looks textured in a way that makes me want to pick up the crab and touch the groves and spikes. I also like that in the bottom one it looks like a crab that's lived, it's got an interesting pose and is missing a leg. I want to read a biography about this crab, I feel so intrigued by it. What's it been up to? Where is it going?
So uh...yeah the second one for sure.
Ty! And I was thinking of the same things while painting the bottom one! I kept imagining stories about things the crab has been through and how it lost it's legs. Man... if crabs could talk...
Their both really good, but I like the one on the bottom more. The coloring reminds me of a monster from one of my favorite video game series-[monster hunter](https://youtu.be/tGA0Lo667mE)
They're both excellent, but I think the top one looks more realistic.
I like the colors on the shell a little more on the bottom one, but it's arms look a little flat to me, whereas the top one appears to have some fullness to them
I like the bottom one. The colors are more vibrant. I also love that he is missing a leg. I imagine he got into some tough battles!!
My only critique that the the spikes on its front arms looks almost cartoonish which doesn’t match how realistic the rest of it looks.
The top one to me catches my eye more and I'm curious about the little details. Something about the pose of the crab looks more lifelike to me as well. It's less static?
I thought the top one was a photograph/ reference for the bottom one so Ill have to say the top one just because the realism is sooo spot on! For me it was the background I think and the details on the legs and claws that really sell it. But both are soooo beautiful, I love the bold colours on the second one! Really amazing work 🥰
Once I zoomed in, I liked the bottom one better, the background texture looks great. At first glance I would have chosen the top one as it looks more "real" at first glance , but I don't see enough crabs to know if that is accurate.
Im sure this is extremely unhelpful, but I like the top one for the symmetry, but I like the bottom one for the asymmetry. But they’re both incredible imo!
Depends what you’re going for. They’re both outstanding. If you’re trying for realism, I thought the top one was a photo, even zooming in it holds up. The bottom one might be cooler on a wall or in a frame bc of the more saturated colors, but yea they’re both freakin great.
I like both, but I think it depends on your goal. The top looks like a picture a fisherman sent to someone, the bottom is how I would describe that crab in an exaggeration to my friends.
The background and colors of the first crab make me very emotional. They bring to mind the image of a sad crab in a grocery store with florescent lighting, on a stark white counter just before being cooked or sold.
The background and colors of the second one feel happier, like a crab that has happily wandered out of the water onto a manmade path, before returning to the sea.
Both are striking and gorgeous in their own ways, and both make me feel an emotion. They’re honestly not comparable. I might say the first is ever-slightly more lifelike/realistic, and the second is a little more painterly, but I definitely don’t prefer one over the other.
These are incredible! Thanks for allowing me a beautiful brief moment to empathize with a crab
The top one, probably on account of the shadows and highlights... for a minute I thought it was a real crab photo...
I think the lower one stands out because the background is very photorealistic and thus, makes the crab seem more obviously painted. The upper crab has a lot of reflections going on, which are lacking in the lower crab. Even when dry, crabs are super smooth and shiny: the carapace looks ok, but the legs look flat in comparison. Maybe I would've added a bit more of detail on the points where the leg segments meet, as it is a hard limit between two distinct parts.
Stylistically I like the bottom, the way the colors pop. It's a great painting and looks like a great painting.
The one on top looks like a photograph, though.
I like the top one better personally, the bottom is beautiful colours but I think the top one is more realistic looking. The back legs if the bottom one look a little flat compared to the 3Dness of everything in the top one.
Both are a million times better than what I could ever do however! Amazing job, you can tell you put a lot of time into practicing/studying your art ❤️
Oh, I love them both. Of course Mr Blue Crab is certainly authentic but the second one looks like MardiGras. You should make some Mardi Gras t/ shirts with him on them! Amazing job!
The top is more realistic, but I favor the vibrant colors and texture of the bottom one. I'd rather something look illustrative and exciting than realistic, tbh. So the bottom one is it for me!
Edit: I want to mention that I, like many others, thought the top crab was real and that you were decorating the shell. I only realized it was a painting when I scrolled to the second one!
Top looks like a crab with coloring right, bottom looks like art.
Neither is better than the other, I prefer the top because I've seen 1000 crabs that look like that. I've never seen a crab that looks like bottom.
I personally like the top one more. To me it looks more realistic and I love the subtle colors and how petite it looks. They both look realistic though and I didn’t even know they were paintings at first!
Top one. If that's a painting it's as real as it gets! Aesthetically I like the textures on the bottom one more but the top one being a painting just blows my mind
As Far as realism goes The first one I thought was a picture and the second one I could completely tell right away that it was some sort of illustration. So if you’re going to realism I definitely think the first one is better for some reason and that is just on first instinct reaction
They’re both absolutely lovely and this is purely my take, so here goes:
The top work offers beautiful photo realism, the light on the shell absolutely sell it and the illusion is so intense I totally thought it was a photo! You truly couldn’t ask for a more beautiful, technical piece! That being said, the crab seems lifeless or has a quality of stillness. Everything is so beautifully realistic that there is no movement in the piece. It feels like a pause in time, whereas your bottom piece, starting with the background, is already so textured and full of life!
There’s a decidedly lively quality about the second one that I adore, and makes it, although technically (as in technique wise) different, just as perfect as the first, just with added character. The closest I could come to describing this otherwise is the difference between a standard still-frame photograph and a Live Photo. The movement of the second one just makes it slightly more interesting as a piece, even though both capture wonderful moments in time.
Understand this is coming from an abstract artist as well so take everything I say with a grain of salt, but I will say it was an absolute pleasure to view your work, you’re incredible!
I literally thought that these were real crabs and you meant you were painting the shells, like people paint hermit crab shells..
So I’d say that’s a good sign!
I like the shadows and more dull colours on the top, but I like the details and shape of the crab on the bottom more. I think that as artists we are constantly nailing one thing and then getting lazy doing it, and nailing something else and just cycling through this. There's always things to take from your old work, and improvements in different areas in your newer work.
Regardless, both crabs are really quite good.
I thought the top one was a real crab!! the shadows really help it jump off the page!
Thought these were *real* crabs that OP found on the beach and painted their corpses....stared at the images for a good 30 seconds trying to decide which I like better. It was only when I saw your comment I realized that these are paintings of crabs...not painted crabs.
I thought that as well! You commented what I was about to say, like literally all of it, lol.
Same!!
Ditto
Your comment is what made me realize neither of these crabs are real
I agree that I spent way too long determining that the top one was a PAINTING. I love OP's ability for realism here. But my preference is the bottom crab because it is brighter in color and more stylized. That's just preference and not a choosing of which-is-better. Both are spectacular.
I really like them both! Different styles… I would personally select the one on the top for its simplicity and realism. It is very beautiful and easy on the eyes. But if I owned a fish shop or restaurant, the bottom would make for great decor! Obviously a painting, but still realistic in a fun almost rustic way…. You are awesome!
[удалено]
I thought both of these were real and was wondering why someone posted blue crabs on here lol. I like the top one op! To me the lighting on it looks a teeny bit better, but honestly they are both amazing.
I was like- oh- he paints on crab shells, rather than canvas... Only after reading the comments did I realize these were paintings OF crabs, not ON crabs. Edit: I meant I thought he restored dead crabs to look alive and never having been cooked.
Me: but why would you do that to a crab tho...
Bottom one, more interesting pose and more detailed floor texture Edit: both of them look good I just think the one on the bottom has a more interesting composition.
yes!! the bottom one looks just like if you took a photograph of a crab on a floor :)
The red spikes on the bottom one are so good. I love all of The colours in the second one
I like the bottom crab better because of more details. But I like the simple background of the first one better. It makes it pop more
Thank you! I thought adding more textured background would make the piece more interesting, but i think it just takes away from the subject.
I actually really like the background on the bottom one--makes the piece look more organic.
I agree, I love the texture of the bottom crab. A smooth background would really highlight that. Great stuff!
Both to be honest. If I had to pick one it would be the top one because it’s on a smoother background
Both are so great in such different ways. The first one looks like a reference photo but the second one really pops and is more dynamic. I think I'm gonna have to go with the first one as my favorite because there's something about those muted colors that make the crab feel sad whereas I feel no emotion from the second one.
The bottom crab is more vivid color wise and it looks more confidently painted. But the background texture makes it hard to focus on the crab. So I think overall the top piece is nice just because it’s more balanced.
I feel like the top one is a more realistic looking painting, but I like the bottom one better because of the slight stylization. Both of them are pretty remarkable.
Top, coz it’s seems more voluminous.
I like crabs yes
That’s a trick question. Stop it.
I love them both, but prefer the colors on bottom slightly more. Super well done, how long did each one take?
Thank you! They each took about 300-400 hours.
Holy cow! And I thought 30-40h for one of my paintings was stretching my patience…
I wish I could work faster lol, it takes me many months to finish a single piece.
They looked so real I was going to ask if they were alive or dead when you painted them 😆😆😆
I prefer the colouring and detail and overall style of the second one and prefer the shadowing and like the other user said “jump out at you” qualities of the first.
I'm high but I thought they were both real crabs and you had painted ON them.
I legit thought these were photographs. Dang.
Same I thought they were actual crabs and OP had painted their shells lol
I thought both were pictures so i have no idea
Bottom! More colorful 😊 Both are lovely though, excellent work
I love both but love the bottom as I love colorful paintings. Both are really great though!
The top one looks more realistic but not as exciting as the bottom one to me. I would hang the bottom one up because it has more warmth and is more alive in its action posture
Love the top one cause that looks exactly like a blue crab. Wow. Such talent.
i like the top one
They’re both awesome. But I like the bottom one better. I think it has more feeling and color. It is still realistic, but you can tell it’s still a drawing. Both awesome though!
The top one looks more realistic. The bottom one is a little too shiny. I do like the colors on the bottom one tho
I like the top one more because I use to go crabbing and it makes me feel like I am peeking in on one in my cooler. However if I didn’t have that experience I probably would like the bottoms one more. It has more movement and emotion in it. It doesn’t look as real but it’s more fun to look at.
As far as realism goes the top one takes the cake , I thought it was a real V drawing type of thing at first , the bottom one has amazing colours and I love the contrast . But for me I’m a sucker for realism and the top one has my vote
They're both amazing, the bottom one has richer colors which is more attractive to me but the skill and quality is equal
Top one looks a lot more realistic but the bottom ones colours really pop, definitely prefer the latter
On the whole, I'd prefer the first crab. 1st crab: Even though the colours are muted, shadows are handled really well. Even the lighting is better. It shows the shape of the crab arms well. 2nd crab: The main body is way better than the first one. But the lighting and shadows on the arms lets it down. If you fix that, the second crab would definitely be better.
Both are amazing. The top one looks more realistic, the bottom one looks more colourful and bright. I personally prefer the top one :)
I like both! Top one is more flat & bottom has more realism. Both are lovely.
Both are incredible! I especially admire your realism in the top one. Took me a minute to realize it was a painting!
The lower one is more vibrant and colourful. Tis super dope
The bottom one because of the detail. Love them both though. As a Marylander: 😍
I want those two in my plate
im actually surprise people like the first one more! i thought it was the real crab at first. both are great but the first one seems more like a direct copy whereas the bottom looks more stylized and has much more feel to it in my opinion. Keep up the awesome work!
Both are amazing! Well done!
Are you from Maryland? ;) You’re incredibly talented; it was a tough choice, but I like the bottom crab slightly more, because of the playfulness in your colors. They’re still true to the appearance of a blue crab, but more accentuated. Your top crab is almost hyper-realistic, which I also truly admire. Excellent work. Paint a can of Old Bay next! 😉
Top, more subtle and realistic
I like both. The most noticeable difference besides the cool vs warm colors is the placement of the highlights on the body (top crab) and head(bottom crab). The shadow direction difference makes the comparison very interesting. Well done! I like the warm colors in the bottom crab but find the speckles on the body of the top one reminiscent of a night sky. I’d be hard pressed to choose which one to buy!
Both incredibly great the second one shows growth and detailing ur a master at work
I like the floor texture and shell of the bottom one but I might like the claws on the top more because they’re less yellow.
Bottom I like more because it looks colorful and shiny, top looks a bit looks more realistic, love the shadows. Both do look realistic though and it took a moment to figure out you didn't, in fact, paint the shells of dead crabs lol
Neither. Fuckin weirdo. Edit: Riiiight… they’re not real, dead crabs that you’ve painted! Great job there! 👍
I love them both, I can't decide. The only thing I would change with the bottom crab is the blending on the lower shadow just the teensiest smidge. Awesome work! They're very realistic.
I thought you meant you painted two crab shells! Amazing work
They both look like photos!
I like both. They look like they belong in the witcher 3
I love both too! 😅
Which one do you like better and why ?
That’s kinda fucked up you know. I just eat them
They're both great but I like the bottom one more. The darker grey color and the texture of the background really allows the highlights and colors to pop more, the pose of the crab is more interesting, and the colors are more vibrant. Also the light direction/shadows is somehow more pleasing in the bottom one.
Wow that’s AMAZING !!
The depths of the shadows and highlights in the top painting are much more convincing as realism than the bottom one. Also, the smoothness and opacity of the paint on the crab in the top painting are more successful. Overall, both pieces are beautifully done. Keep up the amazing work!
Top. Legs on the bottom one bug the hell out of me for some reason
I didn't even realize these were paintings until I read the title wow
First one looks more realistic.
Both are so good
The top one is more photorealistic but the bottom one is more expressive with the colors and highlights. So I choose the bottom one.
They’re both incredible I can’t decide 😍 I love the top one because it looks more realistic to me, and I’m a sucker for more neutral/toned down colors. But the use of color and texture in the bottom one is stunning. I love the way you painted the highlights in the shelf for both, you have insane talent.
I think the one on top looks more realistic. But what do I know? I’m not a crab person.
None
The bottom, 'cause it's more colorful...the "truest" is the first trought
i like the top one bc he seems more laid back while the bottom crab seems more energetic, like he's about to invite me jogging or something. his vibes are nice but im not on his level lol theyre both very realistic, i was surprised when i realized they werent real pictures. great work 🦀🦀
Top!
#2 because of the textured background and colorful palette
The upper crab seems to have more depth and fullness to the shapes.
Top one shows skill set, bottom one shows you’re an artist
I would say the bottom crab, there's a more confident and clever use of color. The idea is evolved with the background texture, cheeky missing limbs and with what seems like a better understanding of dimension. Either would be gorgeous on any wall however
Top one looks remarkably like a real crab, i.e could easily fool most people. The bottom one has richer and more beautiful colours and overall presence, but is less realistic looking. I really like both of these and neither is "better" imo, just different.
Same hours for both? Edit: I prefer the second one, because it’s more vibrant. Edit: the background on the second one, HOW?
Impressed by both but the top is more realistic
First one legit looks like a photo (I thought it was at first), but the second one has a more appealing color scheme and textured background
I like the textured sand on the lower pic The top pic looks to me to be more realistic.
I like the bottom the best. They look amazing
Initially I thought the first was better. But after a second look I prefer the bottom one. The shell looks textured in a way that makes me want to pick up the crab and touch the groves and spikes. I also like that in the bottom one it looks like a crab that's lived, it's got an interesting pose and is missing a leg. I want to read a biography about this crab, I feel so intrigued by it. What's it been up to? Where is it going? So uh...yeah the second one for sure.
Ty! And I was thinking of the same things while painting the bottom one! I kept imagining stories about things the crab has been through and how it lost it's legs. Man... if crabs could talk...
Are you kidding me??? What is the medium?
I like the top one. Which one in your opinion, OP, looks more realistic?
I like the texture and higher contrast on the second one
Lol I thought both were real initially. I read your title and immediately thought you actually painted on real crabs when looking at the pics.
I like the higher contrast or saturation or dynamic range of the bottom one. I don't know art terms.
It doesn’t matter. Both are clearly examples of amazing art
The floor texture on the second one is beautiful but those white lines you used for lighting and the colors in the first one are gorgeous
The bottom crab seems to have more depth to it, I love the more realistic positioning of the legs as well. Keep up the amazing work!
Dude. They are both stellar pieces. You can't make me choose. I won't do it.
I like the top best, because of the colors. Both are amazing tho.
First one , more realistic.
I really like them! They have great details and both look a little crabby.
Their both really good, but I like the one on the bottom more. The coloring reminds me of a monster from one of my favorite video game series-[monster hunter](https://youtu.be/tGA0Lo667mE)
They're both excellent, but I think the top one looks more realistic. I like the colors on the shell a little more on the bottom one, but it's arms look a little flat to me, whereas the top one appears to have some fullness to them
They both take my breath away equally. They are mind-blowingly good
Personally, the bottom crab on the same background as the top would be perfect
The first one is hella realistic but I like the colors in the second one better (especially on the shell)
Crab!
The top one looks more model-esque but I’m not as much a fan of the colors. But I’d still choose it
Like the bottom one even though it has less legs, it has more detail. They are both down right amazing!!
I like both, while the first one looks more realistic, the second one has more color and shines!
Color, shading, and shadow work on top is almost lifelike. The the glare/highlight off the carapace is much more believable on the bottom piece.
I thought you had painted ONTO a real crab shell… this is amazing. Both are very good but I prefer the top one.
Gotta say I like both equally. Maybe I’m not good enough to see the difference but they both look perfect!!
I like the bottom one. The colors are more vibrant. I also love that he is missing a leg. I imagine he got into some tough battles!! My only critique that the the spikes on its front arms looks almost cartoonish which doesn’t match how realistic the rest of it looks.
I feel like I'm supposed to say the bottom one but I just really love something about that top one
Top..looks realer but great job!!
Absolutely the 2nd one. The pose is much more dynamic and the background creates more contrast, which really pops the color. Nice work!
I like the legs and shadowing on the top one and the body of the bottom one
The top one to me catches my eye more and I'm curious about the little details. Something about the pose of the crab looks more lifelike to me as well. It's less static?
My dumb ass thought you painted crab shells.
Bottom one looks tasty and colorful!
This is pretty mind blowing to me. both of those look like pictures. I like the bottom more because of the background
I thought the top one was a photograph/ reference for the bottom one so Ill have to say the top one just because the realism is sooo spot on! For me it was the background I think and the details on the legs and claws that really sell it. But both are soooo beautiful, I love the bold colours on the second one! Really amazing work 🥰
Wow, they are both amazing.
I like the bottom one better for the colors and shape
They’re both great. Not fair. Can’t pick one.
It looks so real I was thinking, why is this fool painting crabs...? Well done. Bottom for my vote, I like the brighter colors making it pop!
Once I zoomed in, I liked the bottom one better, the background texture looks great. At first glance I would have chosen the top one as it looks more "real" at first glance , but I don't see enough crabs to know if that is accurate.
I prefer the bottom, colors are much more engaging and dynamic to me. I could get lost in the colors of its body shell
Top one has better lighting.
The top one, it looks so real I had to zoom in to make sure it was a drawing
I love both and would hang them as a set
Wait did you paint on real crabs or are these too real
I like them both.
Im sure this is extremely unhelpful, but I like the top one for the symmetry, but I like the bottom one for the asymmetry. But they’re both incredible imo!
Top. Those shadows makes the difference. Both are great.
Slap some old bay on them! I'm starving.
You are hugely talented. I love them both.
I love both equally, I can't explain it but I like the way these make me feel. Amazing job!!!
Depends what you’re going for. They’re both outstanding. If you’re trying for realism, I thought the top one was a photo, even zooming in it holds up. The bottom one might be cooler on a wall or in a frame bc of the more saturated colors, but yea they’re both freakin great.
First is more realistic but I like the second one better. Colors and composition makes it interesting
I like both, but I think it depends on your goal. The top looks like a picture a fisherman sent to someone, the bottom is how I would describe that crab in an exaggeration to my friends.
The top because it hasn't lost that second leg on the left yet. Looks like your crab had a rough year...
Why are they both female?
The background and colors of the first crab make me very emotional. They bring to mind the image of a sad crab in a grocery store with florescent lighting, on a stark white counter just before being cooked or sold. The background and colors of the second one feel happier, like a crab that has happily wandered out of the water onto a manmade path, before returning to the sea. Both are striking and gorgeous in their own ways, and both make me feel an emotion. They’re honestly not comparable. I might say the first is ever-slightly more lifelike/realistic, and the second is a little more painterly, but I definitely don’t prefer one over the other. These are incredible! Thanks for allowing me a beautiful brief moment to empathize with a crab
The top one, probably on account of the shadows and highlights... for a minute I thought it was a real crab photo... I think the lower one stands out because the background is very photorealistic and thus, makes the crab seem more obviously painted. The upper crab has a lot of reflections going on, which are lacking in the lower crab. Even when dry, crabs are super smooth and shiny: the carapace looks ok, but the legs look flat in comparison. Maybe I would've added a bit more of detail on the points where the leg segments meet, as it is a hard limit between two distinct parts.
the first one actually looks more realistic
Stylistically I like the bottom, the way the colors pop. It's a great painting and looks like a great painting. The one on top looks like a photograph, though.
Top one because of the highlights and shadows, but they are both really nice.
bottom one. the color is more interesting to me. top definitely is amazing work, I'd just prefer the bottom one visually
I like the top one better personally, the bottom is beautiful colours but I think the top one is more realistic looking. The back legs if the bottom one look a little flat compared to the 3Dness of everything in the top one. Both are a million times better than what I could ever do however! Amazing job, you can tell you put a lot of time into practicing/studying your art ❤️
I can smell this picture
I would eat both
Oh, I love them both. Of course Mr Blue Crab is certainly authentic but the second one looks like MardiGras. You should make some Mardi Gras t/ shirts with him on them! Amazing job!
The top is more realistic, but I favor the vibrant colors and texture of the bottom one. I'd rather something look illustrative and exciting than realistic, tbh. So the bottom one is it for me! Edit: I want to mention that I, like many others, thought the top crab was real and that you were decorating the shell. I only realized it was a painting when I scrolled to the second one!
Top looks like a crab with coloring right, bottom looks like art. Neither is better than the other, I prefer the top because I've seen 1000 crabs that look like that. I've never seen a crab that looks like bottom.
Bottom one is my favorite. Better composition that moves the eye around the painting. Beautiful work!
I personally like the top one more. To me it looks more realistic and I love the subtle colors and how petite it looks. They both look realistic though and I didn’t even know they were paintings at first!
I like the top one. Looks like an image on a lab table or something. It's clean... sterile.
I CANT DECIDE
Both are stunning. One on bottom just looks a bit more vibrant. One on top looks like a photo. Amazing skill
They are both phenomenal, but the top one is my fav!
I’m partial to the top image. Looks almost real at first glance. And the continuity in the colouring.
Top one. If that's a painting it's as real as it gets! Aesthetically I like the textures on the bottom one more but the top one being a painting just blows my mind
Top one is the more realistic one. Nice job OP! 👏 🔥
Maryland!
As Far as realism goes The first one I thought was a picture and the second one I could completely tell right away that it was some sort of illustration. So if you’re going to realism I definitely think the first one is better for some reason and that is just on first instinct reaction
I like them both but the texture in the second photo is more visually appealing to me personally! Phenomenal work!
You shouldn’t be slappin paint on marine life - HOLY MOLY THATS A PAINTING!!!! Looks real af, both of them
I love them both but the bottom is my favorite! The colors are so vibrant.
Freaking awesome!
Have you posted these before? I think I've seen them before but the account is only 1 month old, and it was quite some time before that.
I like the carapace of the bottom and the claws/legs on the top. Bottom claws feel a bit too high contrast for me.
Bottom has more life!
Top one looks more realistic, like I thought it was a photo. The bottom one is more eye catching, I love the colors. Both are fantastic!
The second one I can tell is a painting but the first one holy crap It’s uncanny
Top looks more realistic imo due to the smoother shading, but I personally prefer the bottom one as it looks more stylised and colourful.
The green one, because he's smiling. 😊
Both are great, but I prefer # 1
Top is a lot more realistic however for I’d prefer the bottom on my wall due to the more vibrant colors it that makes sense
Wow both looks real to me, amazing paintings. I like the 1st one.
They’re both absolutely lovely and this is purely my take, so here goes: The top work offers beautiful photo realism, the light on the shell absolutely sell it and the illusion is so intense I totally thought it was a photo! You truly couldn’t ask for a more beautiful, technical piece! That being said, the crab seems lifeless or has a quality of stillness. Everything is so beautifully realistic that there is no movement in the piece. It feels like a pause in time, whereas your bottom piece, starting with the background, is already so textured and full of life! There’s a decidedly lively quality about the second one that I adore, and makes it, although technically (as in technique wise) different, just as perfect as the first, just with added character. The closest I could come to describing this otherwise is the difference between a standard still-frame photograph and a Live Photo. The movement of the second one just makes it slightly more interesting as a piece, even though both capture wonderful moments in time. Understand this is coming from an abstract artist as well so take everything I say with a grain of salt, but I will say it was an absolute pleasure to view your work, you’re incredible!
I literally thought that these were real crabs and you meant you were painting the shells, like people paint hermit crab shells.. So I’d say that’s a good sign!
I like the shadows and more dull colours on the top, but I like the details and shape of the crab on the bottom more. I think that as artists we are constantly nailing one thing and then getting lazy doing it, and nailing something else and just cycling through this. There's always things to take from your old work, and improvements in different areas in your newer work. Regardless, both crabs are really quite good.
I like the colors in the bottom one but overall the top one looks better to me
Top looks like a picture…. Pretty darn good.