Hidden Depths by Ian Ridley

Lovely painting Ian and the square format works really well.

I fully agree - the square format works so well and akso agree about the large mount - so many paintings are spoilt by a narrow mount. I do use this format myself from time to time and wonder what type of frame you prefer. I have become hooked on plain black which works so well with some of my work (but not all) . As for this painting I do admire the technique used and the result is superb - great stuff Ian.

I also think the square format works well, I admire your treatment of winter trees, reminds me of Roldand Hilder's work.

Love this. Like the way you have used wet in wet for background and the foreground just comes alive with bold colour. It's really brilliant.

Really like this Ian, I can imagine it looks really good in a frame.

lovely!!!

Beautiful painting.Very much like Hilder.

Thanks for the comments. Michael in response to your question re-frames: I tend to be relatively conservative about mount colours and frames since I have lost sales in the past because the mount colour didn't go with the room or they didn't like the frame - it appears that the painting can be secondary for some people. Most of my frames therefore are gold or silver depending on the main colour feel in the painting. This particular painting will go in a silver frame. However because a wide mount is used I feel that I can have a wider frame rather than the more traditional narrow frame for watercolours. Also in case you are interested I buy my frames online at www.readymadepictureframe.com . This is really to keep costs down as when doing a show I need to have around 30 framed paintings and this is a considerable outlay. Also it means I can easily change frames if necessary. Have a look at the different mouldings on their site - I usually use price band C. Cheers Ian

Ian - this is really helpful. I tend in the main to use gold which is generally acceptable to most tastes but do use a lot of black (especially for my line drawings) . I have also used silver frames in the past but my supplier only provides a limited range - but he does offer me great quantity discounts. So I will certainly look up readymadepictureframe.com and will let you know how I get on. I do agree with you about wide frames which look so good when used with a wide mount. By the way I always use double mounts - they are never less than approx 2.75 ins wide and I stick rigidly to pale cream / ivory. Also I use the offcuts for my line drawings which are proving to be really popular and sell well. Now to look up readymadepictureframe.com !!

Atmospheric painting, I like the misty feel in the background.

Very useful information you've supplied there, Ian - and a fantastic painting.

Superb work. I also am getting used to the square format, makes you concentrate on composition more.

Theres only one word for this WOW!