'Clachtoll Broch' 2

I have always tried to convince myself that there's no such thing as a failure as every painting is part of the learning process. Not sure if it's always worked with some of my 'less pleasing' attempts. Learning or not you certainly haven't failed here with this different interpretation of the subject - I am really drawn to it.

Hi Michael, thanks for looking and your comment. I find I'm never bold enough with trying anything new; I don't dislike the results, so maybe I'll try again...be a little bolder and who knows?!

Fiona...This stands as an image in its own right, and I like it. And as Michael says, there are no 'failures'. Just keep going!

Lovely painting Fiona

As the others have said, there is a lot whhich is good with this line and wash painting. I like the bold ink work on the foreground stones. How much ink work do you need in the background? I think you have got the balance about right.

This is indeed a very beautiful pen and wash, Fiona. And the above comments said it much better than I can in English. Well done!

Thank you Ruth, Petra, Stephen and Mia.......I do appreciate that you take the time to look and comment.

I agree with above comments - I think it's 'edgy' and a good image.

Fiona - you've shown the jumble of stones and the strength of the feature without drawing in every detail and I think it's very successful. Your limited palette and the touches of red are very effective.

This is no failure Fiona. You have captured the dimensions of the hill and your stone shapes are really good. Great colours too.

As well as agreeing with your other comments, I like the confident criss cross brush strokes that you've used to indicate the stones. The effect is good and much better, I think, than had you drawn in every single stone. The touches of crimson work well also!

ps, as with the bothy, I had to look up the meaning of the word broch! You reach an age when you think you've heard it all and then comes along a new word. So interesting!

Your style is developing in a very interesting way, Fiona. This is intriguing, and I like your choice of colors here. Agree with everyone - I certainly wouldn't view this as a failure. It stands pretty well on its own.

Thank you all so very much for your comments, it's encouraging to know that maybe I could try another, but a little more bolder with colour and ideas. Thanks again.

I really like this one Fiona, certainly no failure, I agree with Louise about the stones. It would be good to see this developed into an even bolder & brighter painting. It would work well on ruined cottages or castles too! Have you visited the Glen Elg or Dun Dornaigil brochs, they would make a really good painting as they are a lot easier to visualize what they are. Including a bit more of the right hand side and a bit of shading in front of the door would help to show its shape a bit more I think, especially if you don't know what a broch is. Not easy I know when It looks just like a big pile of stones. Look forward to seeing some more abstracted paintings.

Hi Kevin, thanks for your feedback. I don't know the Broch's that you mentioned but there is a very nice castle ruin near me called ' Ardvrek Castle' . It was the seat of the Macleod clan and was later taken by the MacKenzies'.....it's got quite bloody history! I might have a go at that in a similar format.

Great style you've chosen to portray the broch, I love the semi abstactness of it with all the geometrical shapes for the stones. Certainly 100% not a failure.

Thank you Val, I don't really know what I'm doing regarding abstract painting.....but it's certainly a whole lot easier than depicting evey rock!!!