I'm working on a new commission (client request was sunset at a drag race). This isn't my usual style so I'm feeling a little out of my element. Right now, I am not sure if I should keep it closer to how it is currently, or if I should try to add more detail and precision and try for more realistic.

Should I maybe add some cars or headlights/taillights?

Does it look like a drag strip?

Acrylic on 16x20 inch canvas

Without having told me this was a drag strip I'd have assumed this was an abstract piece, but with the context it's an "okay, I see it now" situation.

A few things that are missing:

• Barricades leading up to and around the tree.
• Staging lights on the tree (these are two sets of two smaller yellow lights on each side above the other lights. They work to tell the driver where their car is in relation to the starting line.
• The starting line
• A timing board near the end of the track. These usually display the speed and time of a car as it crosses the finish line.

Other than that, I think this looks great and would hang it on my wall, even missing those things.

Needs cars.

Shouldn't you be asking the client these questions?

I'm inclined to say either cars or a "hint of cars" (i.e. the light from the headlights on the road shows that there are cars just out of frame) - but maybe the client would enjoy the quiet ambiguity without them?

I only know what drag strips look like in computer games - if you're in the same situation, try and check some reference material of the real thing.

Stylistically, or in terms of detail and precision - why did they ask you to do this?

Is it a case of "you are an artist that someone I know knows and I assume you can do anything", or had they seen some of your existing work and thought "I want something like that, but of this scene"?

If they've seen some of your existing work, they're likely expecting it to be in the same style as that work.

As others mentioned, speak to the client. It's totally normal with creative commissions to have a bit of back-and-forth about what they're after - whether it's fine art or design or video or music etc. Presumably, they're going to stick it on the wall in their home or workplace for a number of years - let them be part of the decision making process. You can show someone partially done work and say "I'm at a decision point now, would you prefer me to go this way or that way".

Anyway, looking good so far.

Thank you so much for your help! I have no single reference to go by so your input was a huge help!

Is this looking closer?

It is a gift for the client's husband and she doesn't have much input to give me.

Haha, you called it! My personal frame of reference for drag strips only comes from video games. I did a bunch of searches for drag strips, and sunset drag race, etc., and kind of amalgamated a bunch of them in my head.

The client is a friend and she wanted a gift for her husband. She doesn't have much input, just says she "trusts" me.

Personally I think it'd be cool to have no cars but lights streaking away towards the horizon, like a long exposure of a street would give.

That's kind of what I'm thinking

Taking the advice from this thread, I added the missing track features and some cars racing. Is it more obviously a drag strip now?

much better! This looks great