Old Farm Building, Windrush by Andrew Bucknell

Good, but the bush in the lower right foreground is a little muddy, and of an odd shape: somewhat pyramidal. I would be inclined to employ Prussian Blue or Pthalo Blue here, plus Burnt Umber to get a strong, clear very dark green. You could scratch branch-like lines into that with a razor blade or (my own choice) pen-knife. It might have been better to have left the bush out altogether, but strengthening it, given it's there, could help. Just one further point - the far line of hills would, I think, be better indicated by pure colour against the sky, rather than with a line; I think it's a painted line rather than a drawn one, but even so I'd be inclined to break it up, at least, eg a stroke of solid colour against the sky: it just looks, to me, a little sharp even though it's actually quite faintly done.

I ought to have added that I like it! Don't always make that clear, but I wouldn't say anything at all unless I did!

Thanks for your constructive criticism Robert. My family (who are normally the only people who see my pictures) are very supportive and praise every picture as if it were an old master, so it is very useful to get some more meaningful comments. I note what you say about the odd shaped bush, but I'm afraid its worse than you thought. That was actually meant to be a hedgerow receding into the picture. I have a long way to go I Know but the journey is just so enjoyable. Thanks again.

I had to smile at "the odd shaped tree!" I'm afraid that I also thought it was a tree. I think that the hedge (now a tree!) doesn't recede as it should is because it's all the same tone of colour. It should be darker at the front and paler as it recedes. Your hedge is darkest at the far point. Also, as it recedes it should get much more narrow. Having said that, as Robert says, we wouldn't comment at all if we didn't like your work ! Louise.