Hello everyone,
I kind of picked up watercolor on my own, and I don't have a teacher or mentor who can really help me along. I would really appreciate some comments and critiques on my artwork to help my growth.
here are paintings i'm not completely embarrassed of. here is a still life,
Here are two plein air paintings
there is more on my blog if you feel like going to town.
www.tiffannysketchbook.blogspot.com
Thank you!
Tiffanny
Tiffany, your paintings are lovely. On the first one, the still life, I would turn the watering can spout in towards your lamp and lean the leaves of the plant in towards your lamp also. Also, on your third painting, the people swimming, I personally feel like you may have your trees leaning a little too far in towards the center of the picture. These are lovely and a delight to see.
Hi Tiffany
These are VERY good! Looks like your self teaching is going very well.
On the first one, Margo's giving you very good advice. The lines formed by both the watering can spout and the potted plant are on lines that go unimpeded to the edge of the painting and thus lead the viewer out. The shears and the leaves of the plant are fabulous!
On the streetscape, I'm having a bit of trouble discerning the light direction. If I'm reading it right, the light is somewhat from the left and into the page from a rather high angle. Which I think puts the near side roof of the small building too dark. It's actually one of your darkest darks which I don't think it should be. The composition here is great though! Good variation of line.
On the final one, about the only thing I see is the grouping of 3 figures on the left. The seem pretty equidistant from each other and their size differences are a little unifrom. Plus I think their placement is a bit extraneous. The reflections are great. I think my favorite figure in this one is the lady carrying the inner tube! I think you could crop in on her with the waterfall and the foreground beach and have a great secondary project from this one.
Painting Arkansas Blog
Tiffanny —
These are very good. I like all of them.
The still life is particularly well done. The color is excellent. I especially like the color in the gloves and lantern.
The building with the gate and the people swimming are well done also—and painted on location. Keep painting outdoors when ever you can. I've mentioned in another posting that when I was a kid, a group of excellent local artists in northwestern Ohio included me in their plein air group. I learned more about color while working on location with that group than I had learned in any formal class. This may sound crazy but I always had the feeling that I was working inside of the picture I was working on—with many of the questions and decisions of the picture answered right in front of me.
It is obvious that you have the skills to work color into color while wet. This is impressive to someone who works as dry as I do. However, I can't resist the chance to put in a good word for dry brush. You might try that wonderful technique. It would give you an alternative method of handling color and texture. I like the way you handled the long grasses in the foreground. There are some nice louse strokes on the right and on the left you let the colors mingle some. In fact you handled the people well also.
There's an old saying, "You learn to paint by painting." In short, keep up the fine work—
Paul Sullivan
http://www.paulsullivanstudio.com
OHHhhh, ok I see what you're saying. yes. very good advice.
Ooops, I thought I was just replying to Margo, but I guess it replies to the entire post.
Margo you bring up excellent composition points
JD Good catch on the uniform distances between figures. I will look out for that from now on.
And thank you Paul for the kindness!
Here is another watercolor I just did today. I'm having troubles with my monitor not displaying colors properly. It seems that every monitor does something different. I hope it looks ok on your monitors.
Tiffanny—
Once again I think you have done very well. You are are doing a good job in the way that you handle the paint. I think you are now in a position to make some major improvements in your work.
Are you making a pencil thumbnail sketch of your picture before you begin? Also, after making a pencil sketch, are you making a small color thumbnail? A lot of the work on a good watercolor is done in the preparation for the picture. The pencil sketch can establish the composition and the general pattern of lights and darks. I use my color sketch as a guide throughout the final painting. These sketches only take a few minutes. If you don't like the results of a sketch, it's no problem to do another. Because they solve a lot of problems and answer many questions, the sketches leave you free to concentrate more on the work of painting. Also, you might think of making a small drawing of any important part of your picture. This gives you a familiarity with the subject before you begin to draw it on watercolor paper.
You are doing very well. However, I think you are ready to see a vast improvement in your work as you do more preliminary work. Best of luck—
You're right, I dont do preliminary work. Since I do these on the spot, I worry terribly about the sun going down and the light changing that I jump right into it and paint like a madman. :) I will give those preliminary sketches a chance next time! Thank you Paul!
i like your avitar the best and the group scene. all well done.
Painting like a madman isn't all bad. That's what i've been doing all morning.
Good luck—Paul
Well done you paintings are very interesting .
Start a visual diary
Make lots of sketches indoors and out side in penicl , coloured pencil, watercolour
Take photographs.
When you set up your still life objects ,take photo of the set up an look at it on a 2D surface as it will look in a painting, change the arrangement until you are happy with it.
Collect pictures you like
Make little notes beside these images - why did you like them/do you like the subjects ,/ do you like the way thy paint , /the theme of the paintings etc.
this will train your skills in observation an help to take your painting to the next level.
In your notebook try to use different materials use sponges to create texture , tissue paper to blot back paint,use masking fluid
press clingfilm into wet paint to see what effects you can get
I always find it very useful to look at my paintings in a mirror when I'm finished ,it allows you to see errors in your work.
Just enjoy what you are doing the rest will look after itself.
Keep up the good work.
patricia
HI
The library is filled with helpful books on watercolor for the beginner to the advanced painter. And it's all free. Check Teach Street for watercolor classes near you. Keep painting doing is learning. Vary the composition by not putting the point of interest in the center. Use the tic-tac -toe theory.
Hi,
I LIKE YOUR PAINTINGS THEY ARE VERY GOOD.
Try not to put pointed object out of picture but to inner direction so that the eyes of the viewer will remain on target of focal point.
I will be glad if you take a look at my painting and tell me what you think. ( TheMalta bus)
This is my very first time on this forum and i will be happy to have some feedback.
Keep it up
Regards
Vincenzo
Hi!
These pictures are simply beautiful. I was wondering if you would be interested in painting a picture of my friend's business (doctor's office) for a gift?
It's a cute little office with flowers outside, lots of character, not just a plain office building.
Let me know
Sure Lesodell, can we communicate directly though e-mail? My email is tiffanny_tan@hotmail.com
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