Towards Rig Bay mk2

... and what pray tell is wrong with your trees? Gorgeous feel and light in this one.

Yes, it's a lovely tree. The idea is to suggest - and you have, I think. I do like trees - I have been known to paint them with knives... Here are some I prepared earlier: http://amanda-bates-artist.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Trees - acrylics seem in short supply, but the principle is largely the same - edge of the blade for straight(ish) branches, tip for foliage. Texture is useful (if your sky/negative space isn't going to need reapplying - there is nothing wrong with restating the sky over te tree-dark; knife-tips are a good shape for branch junctions), as is having an imperfectly mixed tree-foliage-colour to apply in patches.

Nothing wrong with your trees Fiona, they look great! Soon you'll buy more acrylics or perhaps you already have! You have learnt to use palette knives very efficiently and aren't they just wonderfully liberating!

This has turned out beautifully Fiona, and the trees are fine - nice and loose, great shape and shadows. I particularly like the colours you have used - just leftovers perhaps, but the whole is very harmonious.

You're joking right? Nothing wrong with those trees and really good painting. I like the colours especially the blue you've used on the sky which tonally works well with the grass colour.

Thank you very much for making me feel a little better about this one ladies. I had a picture in my head that it would be much looser, especially the tree's. I wanted to apply them with the minimal of knife strokes but ended up faffing with them, hence I feel they are overworked and scappy. I would like to have another go at this and reduce the the palette, the knife strokes and maybe the detail, would it be a good idea to set myself a time limit? I forgot to mention in my write up that I did the sky with a brush. Amanda thank you for the links, will have a close look. Thanks again.

Nothing wrong with the trees that I can see, Fiona. It's super - you've done a great job capturing the atmosphere, the light, the textures, and I like your very vibrant brushwork too!

I don't think you need lessons from anyone, Fiona, and perhaps you are one who should be teaching others as this is a superb painting with gorgeous trees. One to be very proud of.

Many thanks Seok, you are very kind. Thea, what a lovely comment thank you.

I think maybe you've tried to paint the trees as you would in watercolour and though these trees are fine and look good to me they are not what you had in mind. Stop fretting, this is an excellent piece of work, exceptional after such a short time with painting knives. I'm green with envy LOL

You are absolutely right Val, I did try and do them as I would in watercolour.....thank you very much for your comment Val, I like to hear what you have to say, always constructive.

I Like this one Fiona. Have to admit that the trees are the weakest feature. I am no expert, but the different tones you've used for the trees look a bit mixed up rather than forming an overall shape (like mostly lighter towards the top/side)

Yes Frank, I definitely need more practice on tree's done in this medium and with a knife. I'm thinking of having another go at this one, but I'll practice my trees first! Thank you very much for giving me your thoughts, much appreciated.

I thought I'd commented on this one before but obviously did not get around to it. I agree with the other commentators that trees seem ok to me. Franks comment re lighting could help and with acrylic you could just add a little light to the top right of the right hand one. I actually prefer painting trees that are not in full foliage, showing more of the structure, I haven't tried that with a knife, could be interesting?

Superb fiona