beach scene

[wendee]

This is another one i done a few months ago..sorry the pic in not clear..gotta learn how to use my digital camera...Gosh...any comments appreciated http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-May-2001/beach" border=0>

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http://www.angelfire.com/art/wendee

[leesmith]

Hi Wendee,

I went to your site, very nice work especially since you are so very new to painting. You jumped right in to what I feel is most difficult, landscapes. Your work has a soft feel, your palette is great. Really liked the portrait on your site.

[wendee]

Thanks for you comments Lee..yes i always jump in the deep end first...lol http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

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http://www.angelfire.com/art/wendee

[LDianeJohnson]

Wendee,

You have chosen a challenging subject. Quite a lot is going on in the painting. Here is one observation...there are two figures a pup and a flag on the left side of the painting. Technically, the umbrella grouping to the right would be the focal point. But the 4 individual items to the left compete for attention.

Although this is a finished piece here are a few solutions for the next time you paint a subject with lots going on...

One option, is to group the children with the pup to the left in an activity (and eliminate the flag). That will balance the heavy weight of the trees/umbrellas on the right.

Another possibility is to keep the flag with one child and the pup as more of a grouping, sort of a secondary focal point.

Nice handling of the puddle of water reflecting the sky. Just remember that reflections are generally lower in value than the thing they are reflecting.

Good work.

Diane

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

[LarrySeiler]

I was going to try and find time today to do a quick computer graphic demonstration...but Diane sorta beat me here.

I have to agree with Diane....my eye follows up the foreground most diagonal to the mid left side of the frame. There is a potential for the eye to not be led back into the right side with that strong diagonal, so the feeling may be that something is needed...ie. the flagpole. Unfortunately...I don't think the pole complements the scene. It competes, which is dangerous because it is not nearly as interesting as the rest of the painting, yet it demands to be looked at!

Same with the pup/kitty.

Contrast and color-wise..you've got me convinced of your potentials for painting many winners.

I have a problem with the foreground tree. The handling of the paint is nearly the same as the trees in the distance with exception of the warm color suggesting sunlight is hitting it.

Being so close to the viewer...I would expect great suggestion of texture and detail...which an impasto effect would bring quite nicely.
Also...you can't allow the coincidence of the foreground tree's top foilage just happening to align with the top edge of the background trees. That creates visual tension. Go beyond the top edge of the canvas with that foreground tree! I'd like to see more suggestion of texture in that tree's bark as well to let me know this tree is closer.

You definitely have a lot of visual weight on the right side of the painting. Any number of possibilities as Diane suggested are there for you, including not having the foreground tree at all. In fact, you could put a child or two in the foreground left bottom side playing with sand and a sand pail/shovel as a primary subject.

You see...right now as is...the viewer is left wondering why you the artist were compelled and inspired to paint this. What was of most interest to you? Whatever you determine that is...is what you must beef up, make primary and hold other things subordinate to!

-Larry

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The "Artsmentor" http://www.artsmentor.org

"Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do!" Edgar Degas


[This message has been edited by lseiler (edited May 16, 2001).]

[wendee]

yes i do see what you mean...thanks for the suggestions... http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

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http://www.angelfire.com/art/wendee

[animal]

I agree with Larry`s suggestions. I especially like the colours you have used. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/wink.gif