How NOT to paint w/c. Alfriston by Jenny Johnstone

I think you are being very hard on yourself Jenny, I can't see much wrong with this, good drawing and the church and surrounding trees are very well painted.

Lovely light and colours as usual.

I agree with Stephen and Gudrun, Jenny. I'm interested in what it is you don't like about it? You have a distinctive style all your own which is crisp and clean and original. Having said that, I think I understand where you're coming from. Personally, no matter how hard I try, I feel as if I'm always battling to loosen up, and crikey crumbs it's hard work!

Thank you Stephen and Gudrun. Thank you Caroline - yes, you have hit the nail on the head. I can't do loose, I am as tight as a duck's arse, and I am fighting with the watercolour the whole time which makes me even worse. If I mix them I get mud, if I try to rework a bit I get an ugly mess. So mine are stiff, flat, bland, lack drama & mood, lack any excitement. I find it a very unforgiving medium.

Hi Jenny, love it, now I'm getting jealous, this I feel is the best of those recently done, just like everything about it, but the church is just stunning.

It is a wonderful watercolour indeed. If I may add just one small point. To me the strong green lines in the foreground distract a little from the beautiful scene in the background.

Jenny, I think this is a super watercolour! It's very stylish, love the movement in the trees and the church is excellent. I think I've got a watercolour of this church somewhere which was done for a Steve Hall compeition......it looks nothing like this though!!Lol! If I can find it I'll post it, that will show you just how good yours is!! Lol

Thank you Peter, that is very nice of you but I have seen your excellent churches and trees ! Thank you Pat, sorry about the dark in the foreground - it was the long cast shadows across the green from tall trees just behind & to the right of me that made me want to paint it - but it wouldn't be the first time that the thing that appealed to me didn't actually work when I tried to paint it. Thank you Fiona, Alfriston has been painted - a lot - the 'Cathedral of the Downs' has been done by many artists and a lot better than me. I have done it myself on previous occassions - usually from the other side, across the river with the downs as a backdrop.

I've been away for a few days and come back and find these wonderful watercolours, what a versatile lady you are. No matter what you think of them I would be a very happy bunny if I produced a watercolour landscape as good as these.

I can tell that you're being sincere, not just falsely modest Jenny. But this is a beautiful painting. The 'loose' often comes at the expense of the particular, and that can be a huge loss. Frankly I find both elements in this work, and just enough understatement to let the eye wander and the mind enquire.

Thank you Val and Kim. Everybody has been too kind about my watercolour attempts.

Thank you for your comments re my Alfriston. Yes your style is different but art is a personal thing and what matters is that you are satisfied with your painting. You must reflect your own personality. I paint the loose way I do because I am impatient for the final brush stroke. Your style of painting is equally to be admired.

Thank you Alan