Windrush Mill in Snow by Andrew Bucknell

The only criticism I have of this ( and I am nit-picking wickedly, but you have chosen to imitate a master!) is that at the top of the painting, the dark of the clouds comes to a slightly artificial, sharp halt almost bang in the centre, so one can't help but notice it. However, this is a very attractive painting indeed, and although I don't know this particular painting in J F-W's oeuvre, I could almost believe he painted it. Not entirely: but then, that's the risk you run if you seek to follow such a great watercolourist. I do like your terracotta shades in buildings, and the reddish browns in your winter trees. Keep going but - I do think, if I may say so, that the time has come for you to break away from the master and, by all means benefiting from his influence, launch into your own paintings. Perhaps you have been doing so for years, and if so I apologize - but I think we can never replicate our greatest influences, nor should we seek to. I hope this isn't too obscure, but - I've seen many James Fletcher-Watson paintings: this is a good copy, but I should much prefer, all the same, to see YOUR paintings. I do hope you won't take this amiss, it's not intended to be a swipe either at you or at J F-W, who was a painter who had so much to teach all of us.

The only criticism I have of this ( and I am nit-picking wickedly, but you have chosen to imitate a master!) is that at the top of the painting, the dark of the clouds comes to a slightly artificial, sharp halt almost bang in the centre, so one can't help but notice it. However, this is a very attractive painting indeed, and although I don't know this particular painting in J F-W's oeuvre, I could almost believe he painted it. Not entirely: but then, that's the risk you run if you seek to follow such a great watercolourist. I do like your terracotta shades in buildings, and the reddish browns in your winter trees. Keep going but - I do think, if I may say so, that the time has come for you to break away from the master and, by all means benefiting from his influence, launch into your own paintings. Perhaps you have been doing so for years, and if so I apologize - but I think we can never replicate our greatest influences, nor should we seek to. I hope this isn't too obscure, but - I've seen many James Fletcher-Watson paintings: this is a good copy, but I should much prefer, all the same, to see YOUR paintings. I do hope you won't take this amiss, it's not intended to be a swipe either at you or at J F-W, who was a painter who had so much to teach all of us. But while I'm getting a sense of your view of the great James Fletcher-Watson, I'm not getting such a clear sense of your own approach to painting, and I should like to.

Whoops - lost concentration and came back for another go, forgetting I'd posted the first. Senility is a terrible thing - version two is how I intended to finish the post. I'll go and have a nice lie down now, and perhaps a cup of cocoa.

I've not seen the original, but I do like what I see here. I like your clear washes and light touch.

You certainly master watercolour technique. You should find it dead easy to do some beauties from your own photos; if it's already the case do show us please.

I haven't seen the original painting by James Fletcher Watson but I like the way that the clouds come to a sharp halt in the centre of the picture. I dont know if this was intentional but the dark sky area balances perfectly the darker sharp edged wash on the left side. This gives the painting structure, adds to the design and gives, I feel a slightly modern feel. Without the dark wash it might have been a little flat and ordinary. As it is the dark washes pull the painting together. I think it is lovely.!

Also, I agree with Avril. She's right, you should find it easy as you handle watercolours so very well !

Yes, let's see some of yours. Try a limited palette like this one - it is so fresh and vibrant. Jx

Thanks for all the comments. I have put a few of my own paintings into a portfolio called "Andy Bucknell's Paintings!