Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Showing page 1 of 2
Author
Message

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
I painted Castlerigg Circle a few weeks ago, at my sister's request, but when I gave her the painting she said she didn't like it. The stones were too small and she didn't want snow OR figures. This was after my brief was " Anything will do". She didn't want a wide or large canvas. I reminded her that the Circle was 30 metres wide and that the entire circle would be small if I had to fit it all onto a 50 x 40 cms canvas. I said that a partial circle would be possible then pushed her for what she actually wanted. "Something mysterious and spiritual" came the reply. So this painting is very much a work in progress and I wondered if you could offer some advice. Is the sky competing with the Circle? Would a pale blue above the light source and initial oranges/reds look better, do you think? Does it look a bit chocolate boxy? Please bear in mind that I know we're talking about a painting and that I never feel threatened by honest critique. I don't mind working and reworking a piece but I just want to get this close to her request, because I'm not painting a third. LOL She's the youngest of five, btw, so she is my little sister after all. The original is on top, followed by the WIP. Thank you for dropping in to read. This is the WIP (below) Here's another one.

Edited
by Beemax

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 11888
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 4488
Posted
Sunsets and sunrises are a nightmare to get right without looking like something from a Cadbury's wrapper. I always tend to understate them on the few occasions that I've painted them. I'm struggling on this one Brian, generally it all looks fine, if that's the mood you were trying to achieve. Perhaps lighten it all up a touch, and I would definitely lighten the sky as suggested. The distant hills also are a bit hard perhaps, tonally it needs a lift in my opinion, but as ever, just my perception of it, others will see it differently. Sorry, not a lot of help!

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
Thank you, Alan, Tessa and Marjorie, for the more than helpful and humorous replies. I hooted at the thought of lying down, Marjorie. I've got a bad back, though. lol It's very difficult when trying to extract info' from a person who just won't commit, Tessa. I'm with you there. I'm ok with the size now, mainly because she wanted this view as well, which is more or less from the opposite side to the first painting, hence the totally different mountain scenery. I've made a few changes and will post an update soon. Still working on the mountain tone, as Alan suggested. Next time she wants a painting I'll just say "Pick one from this lot". That should solve me problem. *smile* My thoughts exactly, Alan. I have yet to paint a sunset scene that I genuinely like. I scoured the internet for sunset paintings and STILL couldn't find one that I really liked. However the partial sunset with some blues and dark clouds caught my eye, so with your thoughts in mind I'm going to go down that route. I've already lightened it a touch, started on the blues, and now I'll address the mountain tones. I'm going to get rid of the top half, with its reds etc, and be done. At least I know now, though. I was struggling with it too, Alan, so no prob's there. The colours are suffering from the watered down effect my photos throw up, but nothing new there. (iphone 5). It just wasn't doing it for me, no matter how long I looked. Onwards and upwards! Best to all Bri

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
I prefer the original snow painting, too, Ellen. My son's girlfriend said she really liked it, so I gave it to her. I can't bloody GIVE them away. LOL Bri

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
Here's an update. I've taken a side view to lose some of the glare from wet paint, just to show you how it's coming along. I like this one better, even though the colours are cleaner and more intense in real life. OK, I'll stop whinging.

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
It's still wet but this is getting close.

Edited
by Beemax

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
Here's the latest photo
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 24791
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 8641
Posted
Keep the painting, change your sister.... Sunsets are difficult, though what isn't? I believe the website of the late Ken Bushe is still up - and you'll find paintings of the sky at all times of day and night on there. He was a marvellous artist, and very generous with advice and moral support - just Googling his name should find him. It isn't that it's necessarily better to look at paintings of sunsets rather than the real thing, but that it helps to see how a very competent artist handled a difficult subject. And of course - there's always Turner!

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
Ha! Thanks, Robert, for putting a smile on my face. She was always uncompromisingly honest. *smile* I've tweaked this a bit on photo gallery to reduce the values & tones to see where I might go next. Against my better judgement I'm painting another version but this time it's going to be for me, just to see if that makes a difference. Nothing ventured. I'll Google Ken Bushe after I've finished posting this reply. Thanks for that. Much appreciated. Bri

Edited
by Beemax

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
This is the final version, I think. I've desaturated the colours and heightened the highlights and shadows, whilst developing the moon and clouds. I've also painted a third version, which I'll post in the gallery soon. Hopefully, this is moving closer to the feeling I want.
Moi 17

Linda Wilson

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3607
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1536
Posted
Is it a moon oriented circle or a sun oriented circle? the later pictures certainly look more harmonious and peaceful.

Brian J Mackay

  • Forum Member +
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 272
Posted
It's the moon, Splosh, but I can see how the confusion arose. I added the tiniest dot of cad yellow and red to titanium white, when perhaps a speck of blue would have been enough. Harmony and peace is good to read. Thanks for dropping in to comment. Much appreciated. Bri
Showing page 1 of 2