In the summer issue of The Artist, Paul Talbot-Greaves set readers the challenge of painting from a photograph using bright colour contrasted with neutral colours.

Of the reader versions sent in, Paul selected the work of Sue Rowel (see below) for critique saying: 'You’ve got some great colours in this painting Sue and I’m really pleased you have kept the lit areas bright and clean. Your foreground shadow works well – just the right amount of colour and neutral ratio. Just be careful of adding those bright spots of watercolour pencil though, as these are in shadow too. I see you have used some imagination with the buildings. These work well as a focus but they too need some shadow to make them tie in with the painting. The light is coming from the right, so the left sides of the buildings need shading stronger. Take the key colour, add grey and tone down the walls that face left. You’ll then have a much bolder painting.'

Of the challenge Sue said: 'I sketched the outline of Paul's challenge and divided it into three main parts. I enjoyed doing the trees and scraped flakes off watercolour pencils for the foreground.'

You can see all of the reader versions of Paul's challenges in the PaintersOnline gallery by clicking here.

More challenges from Paul continue in the August, September and October issues of The Artist - click here to purchase back copies.