Autumn in the Reeds

Like the colours. I wouldn't worry about the birds, many very well known painters add a few here and there.

This is an attractive painting Fiona - I love the soft colours and the sense of recession. I think the birds finish the painting of nicely.

Fiona, I like the distant mountains very much. I'm trying hard to do my own paintings having done a lot of practising copying, but something holds me back and is blocking me - did you take photos and/or do some sketching on site?

You've captured the lovely autumnal colours beautifully Fiona. I like the birds but then I can never resist putting them into anything I do!

Another good watercolour Fiona, you are improving all the time. I like the sense of recession you have created here, the blue hills sit well back, and the gradual strengthening of the tone of the trees works well. Nice lead in with the stones and fence posts also. Birds are a good thing in a painting as they give life and movement, perhaps one or two are a little large, it's difficult to judge the scale of birds against an open sky.

I like it and the birds too! Lucky you having such countryside on your doorstep.

Super Autumnal feel to your painting, and I think the birds add movement too.

I like the birds and it is a good watercolour, great colours too.

Guy, Julie, Angela, Caroline, Christine, Stephen, Avril, Lesley and Glennis, thank you for your comments and your feedback regarding the birds. Angela, I put a small piece of dark paper on the righthand side, you're right it works much better....thank you. Caroline, a mix of memory, photo and sketch. Stephen, is that bird? No it's a Lancaster bomber, yes perhaps a tad too large! Thanks again everyone!

A lovely autumnal watercolour Fiona! You have captured the crisp feeling of the air and the colours are just great. Birds are a good addition, they give life and airiness.

I agree with everyone, lovely palette colours

Thank you Satu, I can never quite make my mind up whether putting birds in adds or detracts.Lol! Once they are in...it's too late! Many thanks Petra!

Fiona, this is a very attractive painting, and I think that you have, instinctively, echoed the diagonals at the bottom right of your painting, by including the birds, which I do not think were an unnecessary addition at all, in fact I think they balance your composition.

Thank you Ruth! The placing of the birds was quite unintentional.....do you think I might be getting the hang of this painting lark?! Lol!

This conjures up that surreal, bleak feel that the highlands can have. Birds are fine. Carry on!

Yes Ma'am, thank you Ma'am, I'll do my best Ma'am! Lol! Thanks Gudrun, I've got a 'winter in the Reeds' to post soon but I did it in my sketch book and because it's over two pages it's got the dreaded crease in the middle.

I'm not bossy am I????

No! Of course you're not bossy Gudrun.......I was just being silly! Sorry if I've caused offence, none intended. :(

Well, everyone's said it already, that's what happens when you miss a day on the gallery LOL You just keep getting better and better. Looking forward to the winter version, complete with crease :)

Forgot to say, I like the birds. Tell Stephen the big one's an eagle!

Likewise joking! I would only get offended if someone criticised my cakes! I take food very seriously.

Getting better and better.....? You wouldn't say that if you saw this afternoon's effort Val! Thank you very much for the compliment, I really appreciate it. I'll post the winter version in a couple of days, it isn't that good though.

Ooooo do you bake cakes, I love cakes, the naughtier the better! I've got o say I don't like baking or cooking that much, I would rather be outside mucking out the stables or something.

Stables? You are not going to tell me ... horses?

Alas, not anymore....swapped horses for a motorbike!!!

I am playing catch up, Fiona, so everybody has said it all. I like it and the birds - I think it needed those little dark touches in the sky.

Many thanks Jenny! I think there has been an overwhelming vote for the birds to stay, which is a relief, it would be a hell of a job to scrub them out!

Redolent with atmosphere. Beautifully done, Fiona!