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Message
I need critique please. These are 2 of my Watercolour painting from 2 years ago, I've been unable to paint as I feel my paintings lack something and I don't know what...I've lost my confidence in my work. I want to do better and paint again, please help! Thankyou
Posted
Hi Christine, what are your main concerns regarding the two paintings that you have posted?
You have focused heavily on a single tree in each example so was that your priority or to capture the atmosphere of the scene, which you have succeeded to a degree!
I’ll come back to you when I have a clearer idea of what it is that you’re looking to achieve, your technical skills certainly hold up…
Posted
Hello Christine, I’ve no intentions of advising you about your painting in general Alan is far more experienced and skilled than I am . I do like how your have painted the backgrounds they are full of atmosphere , the trees are really good in colour and general shape. I would if I can make one observation regarding the trees , I think if you added thinner twigs to give the tree a softer outer edge this would make them look softer and not so bold . Your intention might be to have the boldness , I have looked through you gallery in which you have some really good paintings and excellent trees as well. It worth a trying the changes if it helps getting your feeling for painting back , I do spend time sketching trees etc before I do a painting as this helps me to get the look I want . Can I suggest that you do some sketching if you don’t already to try and encourage yourself to get back to the paints. I hope that your soon in the mood to paint and look forward to seeing some more of your excellent artwork.
Posted
Christine, it’s sad to read you have lost confidence in your abilities to paint as you clearly can. Alan is definitely the man to give solid advice . Paul beat me to the advice regarding sketching. I have found that trying to sketch every day has improved my painting enormously and have much more confidence to try new media and subjects! Ii do hope you can get your painting mojo up and running.
Posted
Probably, we all - or anyway most of us - lose confidence at times. Maybe you would benefit from broadening out a bit - for the big expanse, with a big brush. (Good advice for myself: I like painting trees too...)
Have a look at YouTube, or buy a few painting videos in your chosen medium. Try a different paper. But remember, it's not a tragedy if you don't paint for a while: give yourself time to regather your forces.
Posted
Hello Christine, You will always get great advice here and I've had lots of it from Alan and Robert and other members which has been invaluable. You say you want to improve, That only comes with practice. As Gillian has said, sketching does help to improve your paintings. Like anything, if you want to get better, it's practice, practice, practice as much as you can. Don't be scared of making mistakes, learn from them, that's how you develop, you start to build up a bit of know-how and knowledge. Eventually, you will see improvements. I hope you really do take your paints and pencils out and start enjoying them again. I also like your painting but Alan and Robert are best for advice.
Edited
by Denise Cat
Posted
Hi Christine, what are your main concerns regarding the two paintings that you have posted? You have focused heavily on a single tree in each example so was that your priority or to capture the atmosphere of the scene, which you have succeeded to a degree! I’ll come back to you when I have a clearer idea of what it is that you’re looking to achieve, your technical skills certainly hold up…Dear Alan thankyou for taking the time to talk to me. My main concern is my composition. maybe you could look at my other painting, these might give you an idea of how I paint, Watercolour /mixed media. I do really love trees, to be honest I usually start with the sky then depending on how that looks to me the rest of the painting is formed... I do draw my idea but sometimes the painting takes on a life of its own and I'm never sure how it will turn out. I have been painting for several years on and off, I'm self taught, I have watched tube and joined art groups I struggle in large groups. I feel that my work is just not good enough. Thankyou for the compliment about my skills. I have never sold a painting I'm getting older and would really love to be able too sell my work. I don't want to just leave my kids with recycling for the bin. I await your advice xCx
Posted
Hello Christine, I’ve no intentions of advising you about your painting in general Alan is far more experienced and skilled than I am . I do like how your have painted the backgrounds they are full of atmosphere , the trees are really good in colour and general shape. I would if I can make one observation regarding the trees , I think if you added thinner twigs to give the tree a softer outer edge this would make them look softer and not so bold . Your intention might be to have the boldness , I have looked through you gallery in which you have some really good paintings and excellent trees as well. It worth a trying the changes if it helps getting your feeling for painting back , I do spend time sketching trees etc before I do a painting as this helps me to get the look I want . Can I suggest that you do some sketching if you don’t already to try and encourage yourself to get back to the paints. I hope that your soon in the mood to paint and look forward to seeing some more of your excellent artwork.
Edited
by Christine Fry
Posted
I’ve just had a closer look through your gallery Christine, and to be honest there’s some decent work in there… a few excellent examples in fact - not all of it but the same could be said of my gallery!
For some reason, you aren’t pulling in many comments, always disappointing… could it be that you don’t make comments on other artists work? Sometimes that is the reason, but not necessarily.
I did notice that you need some help with greens, they aren’t very convincing but that’s an easy fix! There’s plenty of help online re mixing green and if you ask on the forum you’ll get plenty of help.
If you don’t already, I would suggest that you subscribe to at least one of the two painting magazines, Leisure Painter and The Artist… they are part of the organisation that runs this website and you will find lots of helpful articles in them, plus projects to work from and give you inspiration.
I myself am a regular feature writer for The Artist, but perhaps start off with Leisure Painter, it’s geared up more for the keen amateur.
Good advice from some of the other members on here, take that on board and get some daily sketching done, buy yourself a good sketchbook Stillman & Birn are an excellent choice. Use pencil, nothing harder than a B grade, profipens, fountain pens, have a play around and just sketch anything and everything! It’s the backbone of good art!
It’s difficult to give a definitive answer to where you’re going wrong, certainly you’re lacking a degree of enthusiasm at present, but that will go, each work would need looking at individually but none of your work is a disaster, you need to find more confidence!
You have some good technical skills which not everyone has, so that’s a real bonus.
The best suggestion I can make, is to put your work, or stages of your work on here under work in progress or work for critique - I, and other experienced members will see it and give you sound advice… you just need a bit of encouragement and guidance, an easy fix Christine… go for it!
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
Thankyou again for taking the time to converse with me, I'm flattered by your comments about my past work.
I was a subscriber for both magazines but once I stopped painting a few years ago on a regular basis I stopped getting them. I even bought a copy of Leisure Painter from 1953 the year I was born.
I will look to improving my greens & sketch more I have a pink pig sketch book, but I can order the one you suggest online.
When I get some paper and start painting again I will post.
I do struggle with a few problems so I don't get out much, I've always fancied painting en Plein air, you never know once I get going again maybe that will be a possibility. Most of my paintings are from my imagination.
Anyway thankyou again.
Be safe xCx.
ps Loved your paintings you are obviously very talented.
Posted
Probably, we all - or anyway most of us - lose confidence at times. Maybe you would benefit from broadening out a bit - for the big expanse, with a big brush. (Good advice for myself: I like painting trees too...) Have a look at YouTube, or buy a few painting videos in your chosen medium. Try a different paper. But remember, it's not a tragedy if you don't paint for a while: give yourself time to regather your forces.Hi Robert thankyou for your comments, I have struggled with painting on several occasions in the past but this time has been the longest however thanks to all the kind comments I received I'm hopeful that I maybe I will start painting again. I loved your paintings you like Alan are very talented, hopefully one day maybe I will be too, not as good as you but maybe actually sell one. Thankyou again xCx
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