St Laurence, Isle of Wight

Ok. Like both the new and the old version. Both strong comps well executed... you don't need me to tell you that. _Personally_ I prefer the original with its cool feel.. the first version was more when I'd go to the beach - winter when there's no other bugger there... whereas the new one has much more of a summer feel to it. I don't like beaches in summer as I am a sociopath. Was it worth doing? Yes of course - always worth trying something new... I also suspect the new version will be enhanced in its salability... all IMHO obviously.

hmmmmm.... I do this too. Is it wise? Perhaps not; but it's inevitable or, in a word I'm rather fond of, ineluctable. In theory, I'd want to do a fresh painting, but in practice I keep going back to old paintings and altering them. Still: we're in good company - Edward Austen Abbey, RA, kept going back to his old paintings (think I've got the right man) and re-painted the drapery on Oh, Mistress Mine - very well too, although obviously I didn't see the original, since he died around 90 years ago.... Since most of us these days work on a much smaller scale than Edward, I think I might have been inclined to start a new painting rather than re-work an old one - but! Hang on! You didn't actually say you'd repainted the old picture..... did you do it all over again on a fresh canvas? I'd rather like to think you did.

PS; it's still very recognizably St Lawrence.

@ Ade, yes indeed the new version is much more summery, you are perspicacious as always (and totally agree with your comment on the clouds in 'Sutton on Sea' - I reworked them slightly) @ Robert, I'm afraid the old version is no more! gone forever he he. Really I would have to say that over time so many things annoyed me about the old one and since it hadn't sold I was being forced to live with them. If Ade is right hopefully I can get it off my wall at last and make some room! No seriously one thing I am trying to work on is making sure my work ends up with a "finished" feel, my stuff used to feel a bit hesitant, with thin paint and signs of being scared of working it over for fear of undoing good stuff etc. This was the case here and I feel I have properly finished it for the first time now. All a very interesting evolution for me.

My comment got a bit mangled, not sure why - too many post dinner glasses of wine probably..... anyway: I do return to my old paintings and quite understand why you returned to yours; yes, I understand why you wanted to amend your original - but doubt that the problem with selling it had anything to do with your execution of it. You were probably right this time to re-paint, but don't let the ignorance of the buying public influence you too much! You're right, they're wrong: forget that at your peril....

I do prefer this version, it's so much warmer than the first one which I assume was winter. I love the warmth on the rocks and there seems to be more transparency to the water or perhaps it's the lack of that deep blue shadow.

Terrific ! I love the warmth of this painting. The colours are superb. Love the scenery too.