The Proverbial Pathway

[Paintbrush74]

Here is a landscape that I did a little while back.
<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/27-Mar-2001/OutofWoods2.jpg" border=0>

In reality it's not that dark, and the left tree is not sliced off like that. I have some ideas about improvement but a fresh eye would be appreciated.

Thanks a bunch!

[leesmith]

Hi!

It seems you have a backlighting effect going on and I would enhance that a little more creating more light from the back. I think that effect really adds drama to any landscape. The tree shadows in the foreground seem a little too black or is that just the image? With your rust/oranges, maybe shadows in the complement of orange; ie. blues. It's a good effort; I find myself shying away from landscapes because to me they are the most difficult to do.

[campsart]

Maybe slightly lightening the shadows but of course, you did say that it's not that dark in original. I like this work.

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"Art is a jealous mistress and if a man has a genius for painting, poetry, music, architecture or philosophy, he makes a bad husband and an ill provider."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1888), American essayist, critic, and philosopher.

[wendee]

i like the colours you used..i really like this painting...well done http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Robert]

Very cool painting. Wish I could see it just a little better but I love the masses and the strong verticals!

[Spectra7]

I think the play of light is the key in this painting. I would sugest that you try to capture more of the ligt and shadow play that is occurring in the tree lined area. Possible indicating that on the trunks of the trees as it passes through. You have indicated the light is coming in from the right at a fairly hrizontal angle by the length of the shadows but I am not convinced when I look at the trees that the light has that intensity. Also I would say that the hills in the background should reflect that angle of light too and show more shadow effect. So this is more of matter of consistancy and contrast. The larger tree to the left in the forground would benefit from more detail and to maybe really putting it in the foreground to enhance the effect of perceptive. The fact that it sits in the same plane as the thinner trees to the side tends to flatten the picture somewhat. The picture is dramatic and draws the viewer down the path. The angle of the slope almost sweeps me to the right and out. I feel with some bold use of light and shadow and a finer control of depth this painting would be powerful.

go for it!!

Gene

[Paintbrush74]

Here is another shot of the same landscape, in which the light is better. It also highlights some probs with those shadows. I realize that as I look at it now. I also wonder about the composition. Thanks for all the constructive comments. I am keeping them for future reference.

Lenora

<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/28-Mar-2001/Out_of_the_Woods.jpg" border=0>

[tammy]

After lightening the photo I can see the path better. I like this.

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[Patrick1]

I LOVE the strong rust color that dominates this painting. I would
also suggest adding a little bit of the complement of rust color...which would be
blue...maybe in the sky and a bit in the shadows. Don't worry about any darks being too dark...put some lights on top and you'll
have strong contrast, which is important.
For your highlights, try using a small amount
of pure color from the tube (oranges yellows
or reds) in the few areas where the light
is really strong. I like that painting...it's
similar in style to my paintings.

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[Patrick1]

Paintbrush74; using a painting program, I added to your painting what I suggesetd. This is my first time trying to post a picture on a message board, so I don't know if the picture will upload. But if it does, it's very small (the only way I could get it to 100K or less was by resizing it to a very small size...my apologies...I tried but don't know how to get it in normal size at 100K or less).

<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Apr-2001/OutofWoods2modified2.jpg" border=0>


Here's what I did:

1)made the highlights brighter using pure or almost pure oranges and yellows and reds

2)added blue into the sky and barn...this isn't essential, but I figured the blue would go well with the oranges, browns and reds/ rust colors

3)added a bit of purple into some of the shadow areas on the dark side of the tree
trunks and a bit in the pathway (blue (the sky color) might be more realistic but I made it purplish to give it a bit more flavor). But I didn't wan't to over-do the purple...sometimes if something is subtle it has a more powerful effect than if it's overdone.


Your painting is about 3/4 finished; it was just begging me to throw in some highlights with a little splash of color.
Becuse it was dark, this allows the highlights to show...a dark base is essential
for contrast. And I like how your painting
got darker in the foreground...this allows the highest contrast in the foreground;the darkest darks and lightest lights are generally in the foreground. I'm a relative newbie and the thing I have the hardest time with is tree foliage, but you did a great job with the tree foliage.

You don't have to follow my or anybody else's recommendations, but I hope I gave you a few ideas.




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* Beer is good. *
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[LDianeJohnson]

Not much I can add to the constructive comments above. Just to raise up the distant building just a tad so the roof does not hug the horizon line. The aerial perspective treatment of it is good.

Diane

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L. Diane Johnson (http://www.LDianeJohnson.com/) NAPA, PSA
2001/2002 Plein Air Workshops (http://www.LDianeJohnson.com/workshops/)