Big Easy Stroll

The photo I worked from on this painting, taken in New Orleans on a cold day, didn't excite me at all. I decided after cropping it that the lighting and the abstract/negative shapes could work. The two main figures suddenly seemed take on a new importance. Once I decided I liked the image, the painting happened fast. I was happy with the effect of the light. To me no matter how realistic a painting is, the abstract and negative shapes are so important. It seems to me that a good painting is more a product of this than actual skill with the materials, or drawing ability. In just the same way that accurate values are more important than the color. What do you think?