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Old trees in autumn.
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Posted
I'm assuming by the marking on your tree its a birch, Dixie, at this time of year the silver is quite pronounced and also, on some, there is a lovely sienna tinge to them, if your not happy with your result, and it looks ok to me, maybe try a very light glaze to the side of some of the lighter bits, this could also represent the reflective colour element of your bramble leaves.
However, when in doubt leave well alone :)
Posted
I agree with some darker, line as when I went and looked at the actual tree again the bark was darker but the lines are damage by hedge trimming and are quite white. It does give the look of a silver birch a tree I know well, from working in the woodland, what I might do is change it to look more silver birch like. But thank you all for your support and valued comments. I also thought of making the lines look more like cuts by giving some depth to them., something to ponder over for the next couple of days. Don’t you just love art as it does keep you alert and on the go, mentally.
Posted
Looking again Dixie, the tree trunk is still maybe a bit flat, so if you darkened one side (or both) to make it look rounder, I think that would help again, though I think it’s nearly finished and we’re probably getting to the nit-picking stage now! Actually viewing this on my phone rather than iPad, it looks darker anyway so I’ll just go back in my corner now....🤨
Thank you all for the advice and encouragement. I’ve fiddle with it but not sure if it’s for the better.
Posted
Trouble is that, knowing you had a bit of trouble with the birch, the birch is the first thing I look at! It's not perfect, but then you know that. I think the picture comes off well on the whole, though - you might want to fiddle with it again later, but in your place I'd take a rest from it for a few days; it might be finished, it might not, but if you ARE at a fiddling stage, probably best either to call it done, or put it away for a fresh look later. The leaves, berries and grasses are fine; the wax resist is working, but to my eye, I think the trunk could still do with a bit more modelling - if it were me, I'd go in with some really dark paint, glazed over the trunk in places: you could paint a knot in the trunk - put in a couple of sharp lines with neutral tint, or Payne's grey.
But this is your painting, and you're the one you need to satisfy - as it stands, this was something of a new direction and experiment for you - so well done, and congratulations for having a go at something different. By the way, I'd still like to see you having a crack at your first intended subject, that old tree - trying to avoid spilling coffee on it second time around. I'd like to take a crack at your photo myself, when I've got through my last efforts.
Posted
Thanks for you advice Robert, I had thought of doing the tree darker, but chickened out. You have given me some excellent advice and I will give it a day or two before do anymore, I’m going to make the bark quite rough and introduce some more colours. The original painting I started was made up from several different scenes so I would need to return sketch it. I have stared one today of the beech tree at Pulpit Hill where I work voluntary, over the last ten year I have lead a team clearing the undergrowth so that the trees can get some space to spread. We have also cleared a Iron Age hillfort in among the very old tree. Attached is the initial sketch, whilst you won’t be able to see the hillfort, would will see the wicker fence we placed around it. 