Cottage 1

Oooooooo!!! New paints, how exciting Lionel! And what a start. I like the white patches Lionel they bring light and interest to a painting, I try and leave white bits but get carried away and end up covering them up. You've mastered watercolour skies already and the distant hills and trees are super. Can't wait to see your next watercolour!

Now, I do like the distant hills and the overall composition Lionel. The only thing is, it looks unfinished to me. I'd add some darker tones and grasses etc in the foreground. Perhaps some dark horizontals across the grass as well. It need a darker foreground but that's just my opinion!

Fiona and Louise. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to comment on this pathetic little painting. Louise, your advice is much appreciated and I intend to attempt to apply it this afternoon. Depending on how I get on, I may re-post it. In any event, I will soon remove this one from the site.

Pathetic? No it isn't Lionel. It's the for-runner to a masterpiece!!! A practice piece; you've already highlighted where it needs improving in your write up, foreground grasses etc. The bits you got right far outway the bits you're not satisfied with....don't you think?

It most certainly is not pathetic Lionel. As I said, to me it just looks a little unfinished. It's looking good , just needs a bit more work!

I like your little watercolour Lionel! The sky is very good and the trees and the cottage are a success. It does need something to finish it off and then it'll be a most charming painting.

well Lionel I cant find out wrong with this ,its the start of a good watercolor you could add more to, as you have said ,,but I cant see any white spots .I mean you could darken the foreground a bit ,,but you'd have to be careful you don't go to far .(.I nearly always make the mistake of not going dark enough at times)) your not on your own if you do .keep up the good work

Thank you all so much for helping me along on this one! I will certainly try to apply the advice given which, I must say is most gratefully received.

A different version from your subsequent work, but I think it's lovely even without the foreground detail.