colourful countryside

Hi Kirstie, thanks for your comments and for looking at my artwork. :-)

Just adding more pigment on its own will not be the answer, no - it has to be accompanied by other elements.... Quite a difficult subject to try to summarize in a few words, but perhaps drawing and composition lie at the heart of it - it's not that you have to draw very careful compositions and, as it were, fill them in: but a sound drawing - derived, perhaps, from initial sketches and studies - will give a framework for paintings. Given you've got that, you can take off in any direction that pleases you, I don't think that composition is your problem, insofar as you have a problem; but perhaps you could do with more attention to proportion, ie the relative size of things, and accurate drawing - doesn't have to be academic and perfect, just get the shapes right (as you have, basically anyway, with your butterflies). Greater awareness of perspective, the relationship of one thing in conjunction with another, would add strength to your work - I realize you are seeking soft and melting work in watercolour, and would not seek to dissuade you from that objective, but even the softest and gentlest work requires the occasional hard, accurate element - eg, horizon lines have to be level - you catch that in some paintings but not in all: the horizon line, eg in the sea particularly, may be very slightly curved but is never at an angle. Agree with you, finally, that watercolour can be soft, melting,heavier on the water than on the pigment, but it's not an either/or - you can get soft edges using plenty of paint, especially if you work on primarily damp paper: very weak washes tend to be insipid - paper should be damp, but not sodden. We all struggle to get the balance right, and preliminary drawing sometimes helps: see Rupert Cordeux's work, for instance. He combines precision with looseness - to compete with him would be impossible! But there are many lessons in his work.

I like the darker pigment Rebecca, watercolours are not always wishy, washy. You have managed to create good recession here with your lighter mountains in the distance. I guess it's how you yourself prefer to paint, and the look you are trying to achieve. I often try different techniques and end up going back to my original ways. Keep up the good work whatever !!

The tones are more distinct on this Rebecca, a lovely achievement!

Robert - thank you for your comments and your time you take to advise me :-) I would like to know though - who says that horizon lines 'must' be straight? :-p why 'must' there be perspective? who created these laws? 'Basic principals of art' must have come from somewhere, but who? I rebel :-p I am pleased you like the butterflies i painted :-)

Thanks Denise, at least i achieved something positive in the painting :-p thank you for taking the time to comment :-)

Thanks Carole, i appreciate that :-)

Looking through your gallery, a lot of your previous paintings have a lovely translucent quality. Our instincts often tell us how to paint. I like rebels!

hi Pat :-) i am grateful for your reply and looking at my artwork. I thought i may be hated by now :-p yes a rebel i am afraid, that's me. I have tried to not be one, but failed :-p

Congrats on your top 10 entries Rebecca - so well deserved

Thank you Michael :-) I only just saw it :-p what a total shock, my artwork does not deserve to be alongside yours :-p but thank you :-)