South Downs, First version

I like them both Robert, but I like the extra colour in the distant hill and people in landscapes is always a winner with me.

Love them both Robett but this is my favourite, does the red sweater on the figure explain the red patch on the other painting perhaps?

Lovely use of green tones in grass and trees

I usually try to add a touch of pure Cadmium red somewhere ... it just draws the eye. I think this is the better painting of the two - although my judgement on my own work can be a bit adrift at times; and is so because I drew out the main masses before adding paint; so didn't have to guess at tones. As a matter of interest (or otherwise, of course...) I used the last remnants of my Monestial Blue (now re-named Pthalo) in this one, and Prussian Blue in the other. Very attached to both colours, but on the whole ... and it does depend on what you're trying to do ... I think Pthalo is stronger and cleaner. Sure everyone knows this, but just in case you don't - Pthalo, or Prussian, plus either Burnt Sienna or Burnt Umber, make a fantastic range of very deep greens.

This is also a beautiful painting, Robert, but.... I prefer the other one. There is more depth in it because, in my humble opinion, the hills in the background here are darker and so you loose the atmospheric perspective. If you half close your eyes, there is no difference between foreground and background. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful landscape.

Love this one too Robert, it may be the same scene but it has a very different feel.

Excellent stuff Robert, the balancing figure and birds on the left ad greatly to the comp. I like the paintings of the South downs by Lesley (or is that Leslie, one of my sticking pointts along with Francis and Frances) Worth, looking towards London. best Mick

Thanks to all; interested by Mia's comment - of course, the point she makes is the reason why there was a version two ... it would have been a problem to have restored the distant hills to their proper atmospheric hue without making a muck-up of the sky (which I was rather pleased with - probably a bit too pleased with it). Still learning with watercolour - and I shall not use the excuse, which has just occurred to me, that in certain weather conditions.... no; no, give it up.....

Rober, finally I found your works on this website and I like them very much.

Robert, I've just read your thread on the forum about Alan. I'm not registered on the forum site and couldn't think of any other way to ask for my very good wishes to be passed onto Alan, if you are in contact with him. He no longer seems to have his portfolio on POL so couldn't leave a message that way. I do hope that he makes a speedy recoverery and I'm looking forward to seeing his postings once he's well enough. I hope you don't mind me contacting you this way, regarding Alan. Thank you, Fiona Phipps.

This is a really nice painting and i like the figure in the distance :-)