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Should I or shouldn't I?

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Peter Smith

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Posted
This is a picture I'm doing of Oakham market place in 1910, from an old B&W photo.  The question is, can I get away with leaving the foreground as it is or does it need some figures with the risk of ruining the whole picture?
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xxFionaxx xxBellxx

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Posted
Love the colours and composition. Personally, I would put figures in it, if not in the foreground, perhaps window shoppers. It's a lovely painting anyway Peter. 

Alan Bickley

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Yes it is a great composition and nicely painted. For my money… yes Peter it does, perhaps a couple of small groups.
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Peter Smith

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To be honest I probably knew the answer before I asked the question. Watch this space............

Sylvia Evans

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Please ,please put in some people and a dog cocking it's leg, a mum a child.  It's beautifully done but so needs people.

Tessa Gwynne

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Yes Peter definitely people, and a dog for Sylvia! Otherwise it brings back memories of lockdowns. 
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Peter Smith

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I'm not comfortable painting small figures like these. I think I need to stand back and leave it now until tomorrow, but comments are welcome.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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You should, you should - and look!   He did.   Yes, it's brought the painting to life.  I'm having a similar dilemma - I don't actually LIKE painting figures, leaving aside even whether I'm any good at it or not (why? Antisocial?  Introverted?  Don't know!) and I have a painting now which I think probably does need a figure or two, but it'd be an afterthought, that's the trouble - where to put them?  To put them in at all?  When does a landscape become a genre painting?  When you put in figures (or at least, that's the risk).  I am havering - might post it as a WIP to see what you all think.... I do say "might".   PS - I rather liked lockdown.... not least because I haven't had a cold for nearly two years, having avoided people.  I fear I might be giving too much away about my personality here: anyway, this, tragically, isn't all about ME, so returning for a second bite at the painting: I think your figures fit the treatment you've given the scene - they're all looking at us, in a welcoming way; they're colourful, as are your buildings - I think this works. 

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by Robert Jones, NAPA

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Peter Smith

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It does help Robert, I knew I should do it but it was the encouragement on here that gave me the push I needed. I'm going to add a couple more on the right to make a group, and a dog having a wee for Sylvia!
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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Annoying, isn't it?  Knowing what to do, yet having to call on others' opinions to actually do it.... listening to advice is important (when it's good advice, obviously) and your painting has benefited from your having done so. 
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Peter Smith

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Isn't it irritatingI I know when I'm beaten though so I've added the dog for Sylvia................ That really is that for today and I think it's at a stage where I can put it in the gallery for comments.

Sylvia Evans

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Yay brilliant thank you . Sam says Wuff.
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