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From the artist:

I am a beginning oil painter and this is my third painting. The photo is a little dark so you cannot see some of the foreground details.

The Learning Gallery: A Forest Path
Strong Points
  • I like the way you varied your greens. It is commonly difficult for many painters to vary greens, especially in summer landscapes.
  • The texture in the trees is also good.
  • You lead the viewer into the painting very nicely by means of the path. People instinctively follow paths, roads, streams etc.
  • You have an "O" composition. This is a good way to hold the viewer in the picture.
  • Nice rich darks.
  • All the corners are subdued.
  • Good sense of distance because the value starts from dark in the foreground, and gradually lightens. This definitely creates the illusion of depth.
Areas to work on

You did an excellent job of leading the viewer in. However, you took me for a ride but where to? Once I go down the path into the opening there is nothing worth while to look at.

It is very advisable to create an area of great interest referred to the center of interest or focal point. Your painting seems to lack this. Think of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
My modifications:

I now put in a center of interest. Thus rewarding the viewer with something nice to look at after taking a walk down the path. Please compare photo side by side and you will see that you will enjoy looking at the new one more.

Additional comments:

Outstanding job for your third painting. Don't quit!

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