January Challenge

Paul Talbot-Greaves chose Christine's version of the January challenge for critique saying: 'Thank you for submitting your work Christine. You have achieved some great contrasting values here, which is what the painting needs. I particularly like the brush marks in the sky with the slightly darker background just showing through. I would suggest you refrain from using too much black in your paintings though, perhaps instead mixing a brown and a blue such as burnt umber and ultramarine. This will give you opportunity to split the colour and make the result more varied and colourful. The tree is great but I feel a little overworked with lots of small brush marks. Use a bigger brush and be positive and bold with the shape, altering the values wet into wet within it. This will simplify the look and lend a greater sense of realism to your work.'