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St Agnes Bay -advice please

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Dawn Halliwell

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Hi folks, Just working on this pastel, but really not sure about it. Comments and advice welcomed. I started on the wrong paper and maybe should have just scrapped it there and then. I'm not sure if the cliffs are overworked and if there is enough depth in the painting. What do you think and how could I improve it? Thanks Dawn

Alan Bickley

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Well Dawn, I'll answer this one quickly before I leave to go out sketching, there is blue sky out there today!. There are a couple of things that stand out for me. I would like to see the cliffs lightened up as they get further away (aerial perspective). Also they would have less detail further away, fingers are great tools for smoothing these out a bit. I am assuming that you are working from a photograph, a photo will show every detail if the camera is on that type of setting. What you need to do is interpret that photo and make the sketch your own, not try and copy it, use it as a catalyst for inspiration, you are in control. That sky is quite vibrant also, tone it down a touch. You've got a natural focal point so that is good, try adding a strong highlight to a small portion of the rocks, a part of the first rock is ideal, down that slope at the edge, it IS slightly lighter but be bold and make a statement. A good effort and starting point - right, I'm off out for a couple of hours! I hope that helps...

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by alanbickley

Dawn Halliwell

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Hi Alan, I took your advice. I worked without the photo too, which and allowed me to be much bolder with the pastel. What do you think?

Alan Bickley

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What do I think? I think it's a massive improvement Dawn, well done indeed. It only takes small details to completely change the look of a painting, those details have worked for you here. I do like your horizon line, I never like to see a hard edge, you rarely see that in reality.

Dawn Halliwell

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Brilliant, Alan. I hadn't been on the forum for a while. Work distractions and all that. I forgot how helpful and interesting it can be. I think I'll post my amended painting to the forum now.

Alan Bickley

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It is on the forum Dawn, don't you mean the gallery?