Please tactfully criticise my surrealism.

Hi Gavin to answer you question regard to base talent most of the artist on here have practiced for long periods to reach their current level of ability . I think like all things some people manage to pick it up quicker than others , some happily produce paintings that makes them content. I won’t critique you painting as a abstract simply because it’s monotonous an area in very good at myself . What I will sat is that there are some excellent elements in you painting. The most obvious is the sea and the waves it look really good, the hand is well drawn as is the shape of the boat hull . I like the above water part of the painting simply because it more conventional and fits into a category for me . It it had more detailing on the ship then it definitely would tick a box for me , but as I said I don’t understand abstract that well hence my picking bits out I can relate too. Just keep painting enjoying what you do and posting them in the gallery , I like other look at most things in the gallery but don’t always feel the need to comment . Don’t take no comments as a failing because it not though I can understand it feeling that way. 

My criteria on looking through the gallery is do I like it, obviously, has it caught my eye, would I hang it on my wall...and to some extent the names of people I know. I don't really understand surrealism my mind doesn't tick that way.  I do like your use of colour and the shape of your ship.   Not sure what it means and wouldn't hang it on my wall.  But I like it......is that gentle enough for you Gavin...? Lol.

Compositionally I'm not keen on the canvas being split in the center by the water line. I would create some thumbnails on paper or mockups in photoshop and move elements about to see what works compositionally for you without losing your direction. If you feel you want to improve a particular technique I'd follow some video tution, doesn't really matter if the subject is not your cup of tea, just use it for the bits you feel you need. Please remember you don't need to listen to anyone. In fact if you listen to everyone you will end up with bland,  art by committee. The gallery moves at speed. I have an awful job keeping up with it. I am following you and I still miss stuff. It doesn't hurt to engage your audience, put a bit of info about yourself in your profile and an avatar. I think you're doing great, keep going!  

An interesting subject Gavin, I've been fascinated by surrealism for as long as I can remember.  I've looked at it and read about it, and am still no wiser on what it actually IS.  It seems to be many things to many people.  The word itself means 'beyond realism', it's odd, irrational, unbelievable, dreamlike etc, etc etc.  I've read it also has to make no sense.   So for me, for my own personal concept of surrealism, it's a painting that is realistically painted, but contains odd, impossible, dreamlike ideas.  That's just my definition, and means nothing to anyone but myself. If I critique your painting, I have to apply my idea of surrealism...which may not be yours.  It does have the oddness I expect, you wonder what it's about, the strip of sea in the middle IS painted with a degree of realism, the remainder of the painting, whilst painted with some realism is not realistic enough for me.  I agree with Colette's remarks about the composition. What I think doesn't matter, it's what you think that counts.  So keep at it...surrealism is always thought provoking. This set me thinking about what I consider to be surrealistic art so here's a few (getting away from the big names).. By Duy Huynh... By Eli Tiunine.. By Kinga Britschgi... By Rafal Olbinski... And lastly, a painting by George Underwood who seems listed as a surrealist, but this doesn't seem very surreal to me.  I admire it very much.  I show it because I'm never sure what surrealism is.... You may not like any of these...but they are surrealists.  All we can do is keep trying. With regard to the link between painting models and art...I think there is a link.  I've seen some beautifully painted models, and provided the model painter can draw (and you can), the skills are transferable. You may not agree with any of this, but chatting about art is part of the enjoyment.