Near Miss

Had a look at this on the WIP forum and knew it would be good, didn't realize it was that big, it's really impressive Brian, you've made a fantastic job and love that seagull, it just finishes the whole painting off, brilliant work , Linda 😀

Wow! Thanks Linda, for the great comments. I'm really pleased you like this one because it just about finished me off. *smile* It's the biggest painting I've tackled so far and I picked up a few useful tips as the painting progressed. Much appreciated. Bri

Quite remarkable and rather scary. An amazing picture. Well done

This is very impressive Brian. It must be terrific to look at such a large painting. Great skill and talent demonstrated here Brian

The sea' s alive and you've caught it all Brian. The gull is the perfect touch. Nice work.

This has turned out quite brilliant Brian. I remember your journey to get to this stage and what a result.

I bet this looks outstanding in the flesh Brian, I could imaging that standing front of it would make you sway to the movement in that sea! Powerful and moody, the gull perfectly placed.

Thank you very much, David, Carole, Jim and Carole, for the more than encouraging comments. Always appreciated. Scary does it for me, David. *smile* The size of the canvas really does make a difference, Carole, and I must say, it took me by surprise. The gull alone is 10 ins from tip to tip. I'd been struggling like mad to get some movement into this painting, Jim, so your comments are just what I needed. lol. And I remember your comments, Alan. Delighted this one eventually turned the corner. Thanks a lot. Best to all Bri

Thank you very much indeed, Fiona, for the great comments. It does seem larger than life in the "flesh" and the colours are more apparent. I'll try to get a better photo tomorrow, or later on. I'll edit this thread if it looks any better. I really appreciate the thumbs up because I thought this was never going to be finished. I'm pleased I kept at it, though, even though it was destined for the bin on more than one occasion. Bri

Everyone has said it - a remarkable turn around from where you started Brian. All the thinking which went into this has really paid off, it's quite perfect! The light on the crest of the wave is the focal point for me and leads over to the bird. But exhausting at times I would think - you're leading me back to my 1metre square one, I've been glancing at it as I pass...

Thank you very much, Marjorie, for your very kind comments and suggestions. I managed to include the diagonals that you mentioned and, of course, a liberal sprinkling of splashes. I posted the final version (this one) in WIP to bring that thread to a close, but I do appreciated the support along the way. It WAS exhausting, I must admit, but it was also dead interesting trying this and that to see what would emerge. I'm looking forward to your 1 metre sq painting very much. You'll find an understanding eye with me if you struggle as you go. *lol*. Bri

This is wonderful Brian, I can just feel the power of those waves.

Love your final version Brian, with the dark colours and great movement in the sea, and especially the bird which just makes it complete. Well done. Will look forward to more.

Thank you very much indeed, Frank and Sandra, for the very encouraging comments. Appreciated. Great to see you mentioning the power of the waves, Frank. The movement was/is important to me, so I'm glad the power was there. The final version bares little or no resemblance to the original, Sandra, so I'm chuffed to read you think it's a step in the right direction. It was funny how the painting slowly moved through the various stages to get to this point. Delighted you liked. Bri

Absolutely brilliant Brian, a masterpiece in my opinion. I don't recall ever seeing a painting that captures the sheer force and power of the sea as you have here. I have to say too that it frightens me half to death!

I agree with Russell, a masterpiece. A truly stunning piece of work. This is the first time I've seen this version with the gull...so beautifully done. You do good work, Brian, but this surely has to be your best so far.

Thank you very much indeed, Russell and Lew, for the hair-raising comments. You could have blown me down with a feather. *smile* REALLY! I was amazed by the responses, so thank you again. I have often wondered how the gulls cope with this kind of sea, Russell, especially those that wander the oceans for months at a time. It DOES have a menacing feel, I agree. Delighted you liked this version, Lew, and appreciate the supportive comments from the start. I'm definitely pleased with the outcome, even if it took some finding. lol Best to both Bri

This is fantastic Brian and I’m sure the large size adds to the impact. I can feel the force and power of the waves! The single gull finishes it off really dramatically. Respect for tackling something like this- and succeeding so well!

Thank you ever so much, Tessa, for the very kind and supportive comments. Appreciated. It was a LONG journey, but I've genuinely learnt a lot along the way. The large canvas really does make a difference, far more than I would have imagined. Bri

Impressive painting, Brian.

Oh Bri, this is wonderful! It's completely different from your original piece and it has morphed into something magnificent. It's super big, something I would be scared of doing but you have handled this so well! Fab work!

Thank you very much indeed, Cesare and Margaret, for the wonderful comments. Much appreciated. Thanks for sticking with this one, Margaret, because it has changed beyond recognition. Many of my ideas came about through the suggestions received in WIP, which honestly helped me enormously. When you add to that the general encouragement you can't help but give it your best shot. I'm so pleased you like this final version, and delighted you let me know. Best to both Bri

Very effective

Thank you very much, Maureen. Appreciated. Bri

Fantastic job Mike, it looks so real, you really did a beautiful painting with action here!

Oh my goodness just how good is this!! I think this fantastisc Brian, the water really does look " a live " and the gull just looks perfect.

Thank you very much, Paul and Jimmy, for the amazing comments. Very much appreciated. It's currently hanging on my bedroom wall, drying, and what a time I had of it to get it finished. I'm exhausted thinking about it. lol Bri