Any input?

Paulk wrote

on 30 Apr 2009 6:15 AM

swimming.jpg

This is a new painting I'm working on. The people are only blocked in at this time. Most of the rest of the canvas is finished with just a few tweaks that I would like to make. I would greatly appreciate any input before I finish it off!

wrote

on 30 Apr 2009 7:22 AM

Hi Paulk,

I think this is coming out beautifully!  A couple of things that catch my eye are:

1. The water on the left side seems to go downward, almost like the curve-a-ture of the earth

2. I don't feel the small faint jut out of rocks in the distance adds anything to the painting - it actually confuses me a tad as it is so indescript.

3. If you did take out the small jut of rocks, I might suggest darkening the sea on the horizon line.

The colors thus far are very very nice I love your treatment of the rocks - the colors make them "POP"

OVERALL -- EXCELLENT thus far and my suggestions are more my tastes than necessary.

Dick 

dmac wrote

on 30 Apr 2009 12:48 PM

I like the rocks, people, water and sky - RJ's right the color works fine. The proportion is correct too. My hats off to ya, I don't frequently include people in my canvas. The nasty buggers are too difficult! I'm thinking perhaps more work in the ripples of the water? Maybe more white highlights and deeper blue - thereby making more contrast in the FG? (You've done some of that already.) Painting in the wee people may point that out if it's necessary. Nice work Paul! A nice challenge too! I'm anxious to see the finished painting!

valeriemalley wrote

on 30 Apr 2009 1:16 PM

Hello Paulk

Nice painting.  

I agree with Richard about the horizon line - I think if you simplify the composition by reinforcing the horizon line with a quite deep water color (but in line with the values you are creating) the balance in your composition will still be there.  And it would be reinforced even more with the cloud color remaining a light tone on the horizon line.

If I were making any other changes, I might carry the lightest color of the water at the tip of the rocks just a little bit further up and behind the rockery and blend that into the darker horizon color.  That would highlight the tip of the rock formation a bit more.  Then I might recheck the reflections in this area as well.  It seems the reflections start a bit along from this tip of rock in your painting - should they be showing under this area of rock as well?  Also, where the water would lap up on the rock in this area, would it be better if the color were a little deeper on the water line as it is further along the rocks?   Appreciating that you see the big picture and I don't, these were some things that occurred to me.

I really like the look of your painting and hope you will post your completed work.

Valerie

PS:  I've been avoiding a half finished water scene/people painting, so your work is inspiring me.

Paulk wrote

on 30 Apr 2009 1:30 PM

Thanks all for your comments. Lots to think about and put down on canvas. 

Jan Schafir wrote

on 1 May 2009 4:39 PM

Sorry to be so long in responding,  I have been with my daughter who had surgery this week.  She is o.k. recovering well.  I agree with the others, but would just like to see you soften the mountain edges into the water a little so that they do not look like they are sitting on top.  I can't see where the people are to be, or if they are necessary.  Very nice painting.

bpier wrote

on 1 May 2009 7:13 PM

Hi Paulk. Sorry it took me so long to respond.  I agree with most of what has been said here. The rocks in the distance could come out. They are a bit distracting. The horizon needs to be straightened out. I like the people in the water and once you shade them should turn out nice. So far, this seems to be coming along very nice.

Brian

Sharon Repple wrote

on 2 May 2009 3:36 PM

Paul, I really like this painting. Great rock formation and wonderful color selection. The water is lovely and shows great movement.  I don't have a problem with distant rocks because they are so small so they can either go or stay. I can't wait to see finished painting with figures.  The correct proportion on figures will be a challenge.

Krystalwbrown wrote

on 21 May 2009 3:04 PM

I'm excited to see the people come to life in this.  Their gesture is very nice already.I agree that the water appears to be falling off on the left.  More so in the thumbnail than when you enlarge the image.  I think your horizon line is accurate but the color may be what is making it droop on that side.  The outcropping in the distance may be less confusing if the edge closest to the landmass in the foreground didn't have that bit of sky coming down in between them. Good work!  This will be a nice piece.  I'm so glad this forum is here and I will be posting  pictures of the painting I'm working on now that I've found you all!