In the May 2019 issue of The Artist, Paul Talbot-Greaves set readers the challenge of painting a bluebell wood.

Of the reader versions sent in, Paul selected the work of Pat Webb (see below) for critique saying: 'You really captured the light on the bluebells, along with realistic shadows here Pat. I feel your painting is generally lacking in contrast though, especially the overall background. If this were stronger it would really accentuate the lit bluebell foreground. Use bold brush work with thicker paint for stronger tree values and try to block in broad sections of colour rather than describing all the leaves. I think you have been side tracked by detail when values (darks, mid and lights) are key to the painting. Try working from a black and white copy as this will help you decipher the different strengths required to make those bluebells sing!'

See all reader versions of Paul's challenge by clicking here.

Look out for more of Paul's challenges in The Artist soon.