Watercourse on Kangaroo Rock

[bluewindfisher]

MY IMAGE(S):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/05-07-2006/70598_200620watercourse.jpg


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Watercourse on Kangaroo Rock
Year Created: 2006
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 30 x 40cms
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
Kangaroo Rock is a huge granite outcrop. Over centuries, watercourses have formed on the surface and mosses and grasses cling to the edges of the watercourse.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
Any comments and feedback welcomed.
Regards
Graham

[Dana Design]

Graham, this is beautiful! However, I think that the brilliant reds in the right foreground are killing the beautiful colors throughout the rest of the painting. The soft blues, greens and purples are being whacked senseless by the reds. The red completely stops my eye.

Softening them? Don't know, but using something to lead the eye into the painting would perhaps be better.

[oneilltje79]

The colors you use give a typical Australian landshape feeling. Here in Holland landshapes are more blue, not so bright and not so colourfull. Nice seeing a painting from the landshape of the other side of the world!
Difficult to criticise because like I say, colours there are completely different.

[Corby]

Hi Graham! I like the view you have given us, with a granite base I imagine it does not go to the extent of being a marsh, but it conveys that feeling. On the other hand I guess if water is retained and soaks the land in a shallow granite bowl, you probably do end up with a marsh. I like the red in the right hand foreground. It probably could use a little taming. You introduce that red from within the painting with a nice passage of yellow ochre and burnt sienna. You have laid it in in such a way that it creates a slanted or sloping plane. That is nice! You could bring it all the way to the front and it would tone the red down, but still incorporate it. You know I do not see any people in this but in that round orange patch in the left hand foreground you have the neatest horse in the process of jumping the stream! Are you building a representative showing with these marvelous views?

[lst]

I love the colors you've used. I dont see the red and orange as so bold but the sky as faded and hazy by comparison. Only 2 comments: more color in the sky at the top and corners to tie it into the rest of the painting. Also, smaller clouds in the distant horizon to give depth. Along that line, maybe haze out the distant hill as well. But, that's just me.

[bluewindfisher]

Dana, Thanks for your comments. I will have another look at the red foreground and see what I can do to soften it. The digital representation here is a little redder than the original, but I think it is still a valid point. :)

TJ I suppose I am hoping that this works as a painting for you. I was looking for drama because it is amazing to me that water and grit can make any impact on this very hard rock. And of course then there is the wonder of things finding a foothold in which to grow.

Korvus, you see, I have leant how to use the bold feature shown in many of your replies. :)
You have done it again! Now its a horse! LOL. With a bit of searching I can now see it. Are you a psychologist in your spare time, whose job it is to find figures in rorschach (sp) ink blots? I do have a landscape painting coming up with a figure in it. I promise, and you will be the first to see it. :)
Thank you for your comments. I have been visiting these kind of rocks for a couple of years now and am intrigued by them. But I have been daunted at the prospect of trying to paint them. The real drama happens on a small scale within the lichens and mosses and up to now I have been intimitadated at the prospect of trying to communicate that. I have a number of other sketches on the go at the moment and if they work out I would love to have an exhibition of them. A "Rock Outcrops" series perhaps. We will see.
Regards
Graham

[bluewindfisher]

Thanks very much for your comments 1st. I am glad you like the colours, but there have been a lot of people who are saying they are distracted by the red foreground in its present form. Obviously, this is not my intention so I will probably look at changing it while trying to still keep the drama.
I like your suggestion for the stronger sky and will play around with that idea. That could enhance the dramatic effect.
As for the "distant hill", its actually one huge rock! In fact we drove around the other side trying to come at it from a different direction and the rock extends for 5 kilometres in all directions! The dilemma I have with this subject is that the rock is so vast, but the drama is happening on such a small scale all over the rock. This is why I have put off attempting it for so long. So, sorry mate, the distant bump remains. :)
I appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
Regards
Graham


I love the colors you've used. I dont see the red and orange as so bold but the sky as faded and hazy by comparison. Only 2 comments: more color in the sky at the top and corners to tie it into the rest of the painting. Also, smaller clouds in the distant horizon to give depth. Along that line, maybe haze out the distant hill as well. But, that's just me.

[lst]

Right, the rock should stay but I meant tone it down due to distance. Here's what I meant:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-May-2006/81081-70598_200620watercourse2.jpg
and your original:
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/08-May-2006/81081-70598_200620watercourse.jpg
Granted, I'm not very good with digital changes, but you get the idea! :D

[bluewindfisher]

Right, the rock should stay but I meant tone it down due to distance. Granted, I'm not very good with digital changes, but you get the idea! :D

I see what you mean Its. Thanks for taking the time and trouble.
I appreciate it. :)
Regards
Graham