kettle colors

[mim]

Hi!

I'd really appreciate some help with this. It's done with oil panda and I was happy that the glass came out looking like glass. But the background color is awful. Any ideas will be welcome.

[mim]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/25-Oct-2001/drawing_job_15.gif

[MKathleen]

Hi Mim:

Would it be possible for you to down size your image say around to 400pixel? It's very difficult to evaluate your painting at it's present size. I would like to see it as a whole painting.....
I do like your background colors of course I like vivid bright colors..

Best,
Kathy:)

[mim]

Thanks Kathy

I'm new to wetcanvas so I didn't realize I have to downsize paintings I post. I'll have to get someone to show me how.

mim

[cagathoc]

I took your image into Corel Photo House and under image/image properties, I filled in a new height and width while checking th ebox that says to keep proportions the same.

[cagathoc]

I like the colors here especially on the teapot. I see some gold flecks in the blue background and that was a nice start. I think more than anything else it needs a directional light source so that you can show cast shadows.

[MKathleen]

Hi Mim:

Thanks Cindy it's much easier to view now good work!

Comments:

I haven't changed my mind about the background color I still like it very much. I think I would like to see the glass bottle on the right a little more off center of the tea pot.
I get the feeling your table is going down hill--maybe if the table line was extended instead of rounded. Just a thought...
Dont for the cast shadows they really add a realistic touch to a painting.

Over all I do like the colors and the feeling of your painting. Looking forward to seeing some more!

Best,
Kathy

[mim]

Hi Cindy, Kathy:

Thanks so much for your feedback - it's really useful. I have not had much in the way of art training (one short course at a community college), and I imagine someone with more experience would have made sure there is light source and cast shadows. Feel kind of silly that I missed that, but I hope some more time here at wetcanvas will make me a bit wiser.

Thanks again,

Mim

[MKathleen]

You know what we're all here to get and give help. So please don't feel silly when you miss something. I have found that it's usually the small and obvious things that we miss. Speaking soley for my self of course ha ha.

Please keep shareing your work with us.

Best,
Kathy:D

[cagathoc]

What Kathy just said... :) and

I use a spotlight on my still life work so that it's easier to see and paint the big shapes and shadows.

[mim]

On my way to buy a spotlight...better than sitting home feeling silly.:D

Thanks again,


Mim

[MKathleen]

Yes a good light source is very important spotlights work well. Also another helpful tool and you may use one already is a mirror. As they say the mirror doesn't lie if there is something not right by looking at your painting in reverse you'll see it.

Take a look at "Stage Your Still Life Painting" by Ruth Cox, Contributing Editor. She shows you how to make your own still life setup box. It's here on the Watercolor Channel when you first click on the forum.

We have to get you over this feeling silly phase! Believe me "we've all been there done that" "still doing that" ha ha

Best,
Kathy:) :D

[Ruth]

Hi Mim,

Actually my article is in the Still Life forum. An important thing to remember is that the subject of your painting is LIGHT, and all its little tricks with color and forms and shadows. The still life set-up is just a stage to let the light play on and tell its story.


Once you get a good light play on your setup, it will be easier to see the colors and values you need to make copper, silver, glass, etc.

Ruth

[mim]

:) Hi Kathy

Thanks for trying to make me stop feeling silly. Together with spotlight and mirror in hand I will march on to my next masterpiece(ha ha). Actually since I past 40 I haven't used the mirror much. Happy to see it can be used for better purposes than showing me my new wrinkles. :(

:) Ruth:

Your words on the importance of light etc. have really helped. I suppose it's a whole new way of thinking while trying to paint a subject. Will try and if the outcome is good I'll post.

Went to your site - your work is so beautiful and professional - I can feel that silly feeling coming on again after viewing your paintings. Luckily Kathy is around and will pull me out of it with her kind words.:)

Thanks to you both,

Mim

[mim]

Kathy just remembered - thanks for telling me about Ruth's article. Hope to try out soon what I've read there.

Best,

Mim

[Ruth]

Mim - I know that silly feeling, I still get it even though I've been painting for years. Every time I face a blank wall or a blank canvas, I think, "What am I doing? Who do I think I am to try to be an artist?"

Just smile at it and say, "Thank you for sharing!" and get on with it! :D

Ruth

[cagathoc]

Originally posted by MKathleen

We have to get you over this feeling silly phase! Believe me "we've all been there done that" "still doing that" ha ha

Best,
Kathy:) :D


Definitely! :)