Underneath the Branches

Beautiful painting, interesting tree formation.

This is beautifully done. Lovely, soft tones and good textures. What agent and brushes do you use for your Cryla? If your brushes are hog/bristle you use them very sensitively.

Very nice indeed - particularly like your foreground.

Thanks, everyone. Ruth, the only agent I ever use with Cryla is water - and no more of that than is completely necessary. The fact that I use a stay-wet palette ensures that the paints are moist, and brush out well with just enough water on the brush to prevent them drying out on me. I don't paint outdoors, though, at least not with acrylic and not for long - I'll do a quick sketch, maybe add a little colour with pencils or watercolour, and do the painting at home. Brushes - most of my brushes for acrylics are synthetics, and this painting was chiefly accomplished with Rosemary's excellent Shiraz range; just the right amount of spring, and the larger sizes hold a surprising amount of water and colour. The softer touches were done with her Golden range, and a couple of very ancient Dalon brushes. I like hogs in oil painting, but they can get very damp and misshapen when water is introduced to them, and tend to leave blobs of paint in awkward places. Hope all that helps!

i love the twisted branch .beautiful............love the foreground

I sold this a couple of days ago, before it had even featured on my website. Very glad of the money, but .... I rather miss it. It was one of my better ones, I think. Bet I couldn't do it again!

I like this, up to now my trees are awful

And up to a while ago mine were too - what can I say? Just keep trying: build up the base with strong forms, add the medium tones, then the deep darks, then on top the lightest lights, with the sharper detail on top. It takes a long time to get it right, and I suggest you try lots of experiments on odd bits of paper. I know you'll get it right: you just need to try, try, and try again. There really is nothing like experiment - everything you learn is what you discover for yourself: most of us know what to do, know we may be ineffective in doing it, but keep trying, drawing, painting, learning. And it's fun...... endlessly fascinating. Just keep drawing and painting, sharpening your technique, reducing your technique to the basics, sharpening your drawing, reducing things to the basics. You've started well & have a real sense of form. Build on that, and good luck.

I really love your work, thanks for leaving lots of advice for me :-) much appreciated, and the branch is smashing. Your choice of colours blend really well.

Hi Robert, I have just been looking at your paintings and am very impressed. I am not surprised you sell so many. I don't feel qualified to make any in depth comments but they are lovely whatever the medium. A big thanks to you also for your VERY helpful comments on my painting. It is nice to find someone who is willing to take the time to give constructive advice - it makes such a difference to be pointed in the right direction. i see on this page you have also been very encouraging. Thanks again.

Hello, Your acrilics are masterfully done and your style is something to aspire to. It almost have a watercolour feel to it. Brilliant. Thank you for your encouraging comments.

Once again thank you for your comment. Keep painting and always be brush happy. Chito

Robert: Had a btrowse and I am impressed. JAD

This is my favourite of your paintings robert, so fresh and beautiful colours of the leaves, idyllic location, would love to live there!

Mine too, now residing with new owner in Manchester.

Luxurious shimmer of light. It is though you have captured the last adieu of warm summer air as the tawny fields are combed low for the season.

Robert, just had a lovely browse through your work. This is my favorite, I just love the beautiful colours in the foreground and lively brush work. The twisted branch is also particularly good, and with the glimpses of further details beyond a particularly good composition. I'm sure the purchaser is delighted with this, however it is sometimes extremely hard to let them go. Thank-you for your comments on my work - I don't think you miss much!

Really lovely tree, almost like looking at a photograph - perfect.

Great picture, see what you mean about liking trees to paint. I just got back from a days drawing near Goathland, North York Moors, colours truly incredible.

Lovely image.