Time to Go by Brian J Mackay

The warmth of the day is captured really well. Love the pale palette. Dad looks pretty settled.

Thank you very much, Seth, for the kind comments. Appreciated. I'm delighted the palette hit the mark. Thanks for letting me know. Thought I'd try a quick impressionistic piece last night and ended up taking two hours. That's very quick for me. *smile* I've still got some work to do on her hand and his arm, though, as it looks kind of fuzzy as is. Brian

You have captured the interplay, which is what you were probably looking for. I would leave it.

Thanks for that, Gudrun. I appreciate the comments very much. If the interplay is apparent then the finer details aren't so important. I NEVER know when to leave well alone. Decisions, decisions. Brian

I think Dad wants to sit a little bit longer ..maybe doughter has some business to do, ..he might have some healthy problems, but anyway he got pills, and so, as you can see in his eyes, he saw something, what makes him lost in space.

Thank you very much for looking so closely at this painting, Juris. I appreciate the comments very much and really like your interpretation. Thanks for that. He's old and frail, and his daughter is there to gently coax him along. It's supposed to be a warm encounter, tinged with a touch of sadness. Your take isn't far from the mark at all. Brian

This is interesting Brian, very different to your norm. I like the muted colours and I agree that it says enough about the two people so I would leave it.

Thanks, Margaret, for the "interesting". Ha ha! No prob's, it IS a departure for me into the world of figurative impressionism, more commonly know as, "Don't give up your day job". *LOL* I'm pleased the muted colours are working. Best Brian

It obviously depicts a very tender moment between father and daughter Brian but there is also an ethereal quality to the yellow glow of light behind the figures which leaves me pondering as to whether the title hints at a far more poignant interpretation such as the passing of time and life itself.

Thank you very much, Russell, for the encouraging comments. Always appreciated. I couldn't be happier with your interpretation, because that's exactly where I was going. "Time to Go, Daddy" is a sad but resigned expression. I wondered if it would be too sad or maybe even forced, in a twee sort of way, then decided to opt for my original intent. Time moves on indeed and the best of us (and the worst) have to move on in the end. It could, of course, have an alternative meaning and that's where the sadness is tempered by a daughter's love. The white glow was achieved with titanium white and a speck or two of cad yellow. When it came to blending it with the light blue I waited for the scene to turn green, but this time it WORKED! *smile* Thanks again for dropping in to share your thoughts. Best Brian

I agree with Gudrun...as it is it says everything but leaves an air of mystery. Super work, Brian

Thank you very much, Thalia, for the very encouraging comments. Appreciated. That's another vote for leaving this one alone, now, and I will therefore follow your advice. Thanks for that. Delighted the air of mystery comes through, because I was hoping it would cause the viewer to pause for a moment or two to consider the scene and what it represented. In short, I was hoping the emotional bond would come through. Brian

It's always interesting to read people's 'take' on a painting. I can't disagree with anything said, but my reading (before I looked at the comments) was slightly different...from the set of the girl's chin and mouth she looks slightly annoyed...it could also be read as upset...sad. This is very much a narrative painting, there's something going on. They are always the most interesting. Excellent work, Brian.

Thank you very much, Lewis, for a great analysis. Appreciated. I wonder if the mouth would benefit from a tweak, where the downward curve is reduced a tad to emphasise the sadness. I can see what you mean about the grimace. If the curve was less apparent it might contribute more to the emotional bond between them. Brian

Do I detect a slight grimace on his face, probably a bit stiff after all that sitting. Definitely a story in this one Brian. I like the palette and the use of the yellow behind his head to produce a warm glow works a treat.

Thank you very much, Barry, for the comments and for looking so closely. Appreciated. Yes, he's getting on in years and is a bit stiff as he moves. I'm really pleased to read the story aspect came through, that touch of human emotion in what, on the face of it, is a fairly simple scene. Brian