Willow

Looks fine to me Fiona, it is I assume a pollarded Willow, great pen lines as always and I love the colours and brush strokes, the fence line is a real statement without being overpowering, the pen lines and colours on the tree really give the feeling of age. Oh how I wish I was not in the mood all the time if this is what happens :)))

I like it very much Fiona...I love all the pen marks and there is alot of energy in it. Beautiful colours in the tree trunk and foreground!

Brilliant!

You're very kind Malcolm, thank you. It didn't feel right and the more I did to it the worse I felt it went, especially the tree. It seems too stiff, and yes it is a pollarded willow. Thanks again. Thank you very much Chandra and Willie.

I can appreciate that Fiona don't be too harsh art has a myriad of aspects. Lovely

Fiona you are too hard on yourself I suspect you were in the mood with this picture you haven't painted every individual branch which is great .Above all you have captured the essence of the willow the distant backdrop acts as a foil to the main part .the tree is thoughtfully placed the trunk is more or less on the golden section.You have achieved aerial perspective with blues and I love the fence the posts which are angular echoing the branches of the tree .You may or may not produce a better version but the painting stands on its own as a spontaneous intuitive study. your further attempts may not show this freshness.we are never satisfied with our efforts but no more negative comments regarding your work please. David Harrison

I know what you mean about the tree being 'stiff' a willow with that number of header branches would have a wider and mor irregular trunk, but I still like the work.

I wish my "forced " paintings turned out as good as this Fiona, as usual your pen marks give it so much life and those grasses give it a lovely warmth. I've been forcing myself to paint for a year now and I've only truly been happy with just one of them in all that time. I manage to fill my recycling bin most weeks with ruined watercolour paper :(

Every painting can and should convey an emotion, and in this you can almost sense frustration. But there's much to be positive in this, with some great marks been made.good palette choice, and a show of great character.

Thank you very much Dennis x David, thank you for your kindness and empathy......I know it sounds as though I'm beating myself up about how this turned out but I'm not, honest. It's not good though. I wanted to make the point that for many reasons no matter what we do, it just won't work.....and that's the thing, we shouldn't beat ourselves up about it. I see every painting I do as a practice for the next one lol. I've been stuck in a rut about what to paint, how to paint it, which medium etc etc. and I know it will pass. So are we right to force ourselves? I must be the only person that doesn't find painting 'fun'....apart from may be a couple I've done. Don't know why I bother really...... lol Thank you again X

You're right Malcolm now you mention, it would improve the over all look of the tree....I'll amend that next time. Thank you for taking the trouble. Hi Val, it's very frustrating isn't it........thank you for your lovely comment. Andre, that's one of the words I used and felt, but there were a lot of other words too...lol! Thanks for your positivity.

Didn't you know Fiona that artists are meant to suffer?! No, seriously I know the feeling of frustration when you try to force yourself to paint and you feel that nothing is good enough. Take a little holiday and if possible go to see an exhibition. If that's not on the menu watch short art programs on You Tube, it will give you fresh ideas and motivation. Don't worry, it will pass! x

Satu, you always know the right thing to say or suggest.....thank you for that, I'll put your theory to the test. If that fails, I'll paint my way through it......with gritted teeth.lol Thanks Satu X

Your line work as ever is very creative Fiona. Definitely your trademark. I hope that you get your mojo back soon :) , perhaps when the sunny weather is here to stay that will make a difference. It certainly does with me.

im feeling rather like you at the moment Fiona but you have turned out a decent piece of work here .

I know well how you feel Fiona. It's part of the reason my postings have been thin on the ground since Christmas. I think it's true to say 'If you're not in the mood, don't paint'. This is still unmistakably yours though, with your distinctive palette. I really like it. Sometimes we can be our own worst critics.

Dont be daft, I love it. It just jumped out at me from th gallery. Whats not to like.

Fiona, you're far from the only one who doesn't find painting fun! I find it quite stressful and in everything I do I get to a point where I'm tempted to bin it, but force myself to carry on. Very often, though, I go through a phase where lots of paintings in a row turns out to be rubbish, but wouldn't it be a bit boring if everything always turned out perfectly? If you're a bit stuck at the moment, why don't you do a few more of your fabulous lino cuts, they do look like fun to do! I do like this painting, though, it's really bold with some great pen work, especially the fence, and I love the colours on the bark.

One of your exemplary pen and washes!

Thank you Sarah for your kindness.....a bit of sunshine would be lovely, wouldn't it, for all of us! Oh dear Dennis, Peter, what a lot we are.....we need a good shake up I think!lol Thanks for you comments. That's what I need Sylvia...a good kick in the pants.....and little bit of your motivation and drive! Thank you. Bless you Jenny! I think the root of the problem is not being able to get out to paint, the weather has been awful, I've just about exhausted the views form the windows and I'm not very good at painting from photo's. When I can start getting out...problem sorted. Lino cuts could be the diversion I need....thank you. Many thanks Gudrun!

This is another wonderful painting, Fiona, with lovely colours. I like much the touch of light in the trunk.

Thank you very much Cesare, very kind.

What an unusual tree...love that loose work, well done Fiona.

I like the energy in this Fiona, it seems you are almost angry with the dynamic strokes on this ;))

Love your confidence in this piece Fiona. The cool blues work so well with the warm earthy tones. I really like this.

Many thanks Guy, very kind of you. Yes anger was one of the emotions Carole...lol Thanks very much for your comment. Many thanks Sarah, much appreciated.