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Have I got the definition balance correct?

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21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

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Came across a scene, a little 'moment' on a walk, and wanted to capture the essence of what attracted me to it.... Liked the contrast of aged metal against nature against stonework...liked the curves and organic shapes of foliage and bracket against the regimentality of the stonework...liked the darks against the lights...I also liked the way the bracket did not immediately stand out from the foliage... So, in terms of the bracket against the foliage, my question is , in making this a painting... 1- have I found that balance?, 2- should I have made more definition and contrast between the bracket and foliage? or 3- should I have made much less of that definition by using 'lost' edges techniques? Any thoughts on this would be gratefully received. Thank you, folks.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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Difficult question you askd there!  I think - bearing in mind the foliage will be creeping through the bracket in places - that I would have used a little selective highlighting - the danger would lie in distracting somewhat from the lamp; a selective touch of dark would also be advisable, I think, because you haven't got much contrast in tone.  

Alan Bickley

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Well it’s all a bit insipid, lacking tone as Robert mentioned. The star of the show is the rather nice ornate wrought iron lamp, so it needs to stand out from the foliage - I’d beef it up with some bold line work. You could drag some dryish brush work over some of the bricks to add interest with texture, and break up the colours a touch! Foliage would be quite a bit darker, as you’re looking up into the sky… think silhouette! But as a simple sketch book observation it’s fine, I’ve got sketchbooks filled with all manner of bits and bobs like this, they often come in useful for reference at a later date.

Edited
by Alan Bickley

IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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My thoughts were similar , the lamp is the focal point some  darker lines in there would make it stand out more.

Edited
by Paul (Dixie) Dean

Sylvia Evans

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That lamp is a splendid shape.   Like both Robert and Alan.I think it's  all a bit understated .  Darken that wall  dark, dark dark... it's a lamp it lights stuff up and gives glorious shadows.   As a sketch it is nice.  Maybe your intention is to use it as reference for another painting.?
21.08 slaley hall maluillustration PROMO - low res small

Gerry Mellor

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Thank you all, very much, for your thoughts and suggestions. All useful to think about. Not only for this painting but for future ones where I deal with similar issues. Thank you. Now that I haven't looked at this for a few days, I see now the lamp and bracket are not as dark as I thought I had made them, and therefore the contrast not as great...so, as the lamp is the main star of the show, it certainly needs to be stronger. Thanks everyone, once again, for your time. Much appreciated. Gerry

Edited
by Gerry Mellor

Sylvia Evans

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Thank you for your thank you it's nice when people do.