shocking mess by derek brown

It's not a mess, but not up to your monochrome work. But as you are achieving good results with the latter, it's obviously just a matter of time and practice. Maybe try acrylic? I think what's wrong with this - not that there's a lot - is that your strokes seem thicker and thus less subtle; and there's not the same variation in tone; the colour of the mountain or hill is pleasing, but somewhat uniform, and you haven't got the cast shadow and liveliness of surface that you achieve in your drawings. But don't punish yourself! I do just the same thing, but it doesn't help. Practice with your full colour pastel palette, and try another medium too, if only to give yourself a rest from something that is frustrating you. Good luck.

I agree with Robert that the tonal work here does not quite match your monochrome. Just a thought but have you tried 'adding colour' slowly. Perhaps work with just 3or 4 colours and build up gradually so that you don't loose touch with your wonderful tonal skills? Just a thought, hope it helps

ill give it a bash... thanks

This is what happens to me when I use acrylics; I lose all the tonal contrast that seems so easy with watercolour. It's not a mess, just as Robert says; lacking contrast.

Hello derek, there's an interesting article inLP .on the tonal contrast of colours - by Tony Paul I think- which points out how we have difficulty seeing the values of colours. Black and white are no problem but put a colour photo into b/w and much of the contrast disappears. I have this problem too; happy drawing and painting.

PS Have found the article but it's in the July 2001!!! issue. Called "Understanding tone in relation to colour" by Tony Paul. As you can see I should have got it right by now........!

Certainly not a mess, you have a lot of good points in this pastel. I have the same trouble with pastel and acrylics but too much of a coward to persevere. A lot of good advice above.

this WAS a picture i liked, but i put it on another "art forum" and this, old hippie ripped it to shreds. it got me down. so i looked on her web site, ha ha lots of pics ,same subject same theme, over & over yawn.. made me feel a wee bit better, but the damage was done. ill keep going thanks for the support...

Old hippie or old harpy....? There's no point in criticism like that: it doesn't help anyone, certainly not the poor b. artist. As I should have said before, there are many good features in this, from the overall colour, the sky, the line of posts and the angles at which they stand in the water, to the reflections of objects and sky in the water. Don't ever get put off by destructive criticism - it tells you nothing except that the critic is working out some private grudge against the world and using you as the most convenient thing to kick. If that's what is stopping you doing more work in colour, put it behind you and practice! That's all you need - you're so nearly there with this. Sorry I'm running on, but people who take pleasure in undermining others make me angrier than almost anything else!

Actually having another look at this , it almost has a sensuousness about it. That lovely smooth sweep of the hillside................................................. Never, never let anyone put you off.

I like your colours, there is a serenity about this image. It reminded me a bit of one of those railway posters of the 50s . The crisp clean lines an uncluttered compostion. Definitely dont be put off by any " harpy" as Robert says. Couldnt agree more with him. I have encountered quite a bit of that kind of thing in groups I joined and I found it quite difficult to ignore. but in time you start to like your own stuff and learn to think what the heck I like it., regardless. We will all look forward to your next colour offering... ditto Sylvia never let anyone put you off