I am trying to decide which version of foreground I should go with in this painting.  I have one with a blackish foreground and a winterish one.

Any help on the trees or critics welcome.  This was totally from my head no refs so of course there is artistic license used.  :P

Here is the first version, the winter foreground.  I have taken out some of the far tree on the right of the background.  I took out the roots and have the trunk behind the snow bank??

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the dragon portrait lady

Lisa Gravelle-Ford
http://www.dragonportraits.com

Okay mother in residence advice given for free...

Here is the second version with the foreground in blackish colours.  I am not sure which one to do or if I should keep both versions!  Some help please!!!!  This is my first real attempt at a darker style of painting and doing a landscape as well.  Thank you for any help and/or advice.

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the dragon portrait lady

Lisa Gravelle-Ford
http://www.dragonportraits.com

Okay mother in residence advice given for free...

I like the blackish foreground better than the winter one.  I think that you need to paint a variety of colors onto the tree trunk to simulate a bark texture as opposed to the line work superimposed over the single brownish color.  In addition, the tree reflections in the water need to better mirror the trees in the foreground.  As it is, they don't currently make much visual sense.  Otherwise, it is fun image and i like the goblins(?) peeking out. 

I think both versions could work, but if you're aiming for something darker, then you should go with the bare ground, I think. It's got a nice halloweenish dead forest feel to it. The snow makes it somewhat more cheerful.

and thanks for the welcome & crits in the beginner challenges thread :)