White Sails

Congratulations, Fiona, on trying something new! I like certain parts of this, particularly the boats and their booms. If I may be so bold...I am not so keen on the criss cross green elements. It may have been better if they had been more structured blocks of colour to resemble harbourside buildings, which have already been reflected in the water. But then the picture would have been impressionistic rather than abstract (?). Alternatively, varying verticals may have provided a background of trees.

Love it - very well done; it takes courage to try something new, and then post it for comment. I see Lionel's points, but I think this painting is a statement in itself, and I believe it works as a whole. I like the flat-brush strokes, the delicate colour washes - I think you could take this a long way further and would encourage you to do so. If if I were being entirely, totally, horribly critical - which I don't want to be - I might say it was a little tentative and cautious; I can see this is the first time you've tried something like this. BUT - that might be a relevant criticism for someone who'd been working in this way for years; it's not appropriate for someone who's trying something a bit different. No - I like the restraint in this, the willingness to have a go at something different: and I think it works superbly well, whatever criteria one chooses on which to judge it.

Lionel, you can be as bold as you wish, I always value your opinion. I took the idea from a picture of boats moored on a loch with a back drop of a wooded hillside. I wasn't quite sure how to tackle the tree's on the hillside, so thought that a little movement may solve the problem. I think I should have continued further along to the left of the picture with the tree's but cropping would solve that. Thank you for your advise Lionel, I might have a go at another.

Robert you have made me feel a whole lot better about posting it, I was in two minds whether to or not. I wasn't sure of the reaction it would get, but, there's 'no gain without pain'! Thank you for your constructive comments, I will explore further and perhaps loosen up a bit.

I admire your trying something new, well done Fiona. This is quite intriguing.

Many thanks Carole.

Got a great feel about it as if you just sat down and went for it and didn't worry about what was right or what was wrong. Such freedom is to be envied. I think you are heading in the right direction if you pursue this very loose and almost abstract style.

Many thanks Thea, you are absolutely right about the freedom factor. I didn't worry about focal points, two thirds rule, cool or warm colours....as you say I just went for it. Thanks again for your comment.

Watcha Fiona, at last I've found out how to work this thing, there's no link from your comment to your pages. Looks good, I love the horizontal thrust of the boats playing off against the vertical and diagonal movement in the stripes. Thanks for the encouragement in your comments on Moorland Storm. best Mick

Watcha Fiona, at last I've found out how to work this thing, there's no link from your comment to your pages. Looks good, I love the horizontal thrust of the boats playing off against the vertical and diagonal movement in the stripes. Thanks for the encouragement in your comments on Moorland Storm. best Mick

Watcha Fiona,. The thing took an age to load the comment and the did it twice:-) best Mick

Something different indeed!. And a very pleasing result. How big is it and how long did it take to paint? I've just spent a very happy hour or so looking at your whole porfolio and I'm really impressed by your versatility and willingness to tackle so many subjects and styles - and all, to my mind, very successfully. I particularly enjoyed your your Aubrey Phillips-like Crashing Wave but there is so much more to admire. Congratulations!

I find abstract very difficult to 'read' but this is different for some reason. I like the sails and the reflections. Well done for trying something new.

I like the sails and the refelctions, I find it difficult to read abstracts but this is different and well done for trying something different.

Sorry about the duplication - I thought it hadn't gone through. please feel free to delete one of my comments.

Many thanks Glennis, Kay for your kind comments. I'm not very comfortable with the whole 'abstract' thing, but I like to try a bit of everything! :)

This is lovely, Fiona! The colors and shapes are super and I love your innovation and the constant attempt to push against boundaries. All very successful, might I add! Apologies for the late comment. I've been away and am now trying to catch up.

Thank you very much Seok, your comment is very much appreciated.