You tell me?

[peter baker]

I'm , or should I say have been, a traditional Oil painter. Now back at college I'm looking more and more into (shall we say) moden idears on painting (I hope that does not offend any one).
So here's my first atemp at breaking my mouled.
I'd like to know if I'm heading in the right direction or is it back to the start and try again.

Many thanks
peter

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Sep-2006/81739-beachlady.jpg

[veedubya]

Well, Peter, you're off to a good start. Your realistic painting skills give you the underpinnings and now you study the principles and elements of composition and implement them in a new way. Welcome to Ab/Con!! Enjoy the journey- good for you going back to school- I hope it's a positive experience for you.

Critique: the white spots are a little distracting. There should be more of them or less of them.

[wiscojaydub]

THis has a very retro late sixties/early seventies warholish look to it! Very nicely done!

[Rosita]

Yes you are !!! This is definatelly the right direction...actually...I wish I could paint contours like you. Way to go!

[gingery]

Congrats on going back to school!:thumbsup: I hope you are enjoying it. I like this painting & it also reminds me of the 60's era. Very nicely done!:clap: I'm looking foward to seeing more of your work.
ginger

[boundstaffpress]

Well done. I get the 60's reference. I just like it as a mood piece. I like the urgency the red gives the figure.

[peter baker]

Thank you all for the comments. I have to admit I was a bit worried about the painting having painted in the same old way for so many years I didn't know how it was gooding to turn out.
This has realy inspired me to push ahead.
Thank you all. :)

[Darabos]

This looks to me to be very non-traditional.
it's different.
in a good way.
staying traditional only means you'll be as good as traditional people.
going past traditional makes you innovative, in my opinion.

critique:
i didn't even notice the figure for a good amount of time.
and then randomly *poof* i saw it and i loved.
made me want to look at it more.
the color choice is also very nice.
the red sets mood and draws my attention a lot.
i agree with the white marks though... they don't really give to the piece at all. more might distract a lot too. but at the same time, i notice that the white looks like a glare... sort of where the lights would reflect off the figure; if that's the case then i like it more... i think it's just the four white dots behind her that i don't understand.

[Smileawhyl]

I'm a bit 'worried' about the breast. Where is it going, where has it been, but you have a good relationship with the light and dark of your subject. It may just be my monitor, but I thinking maybe the red would be a bit more effective if it were deeper. On my screen it looks like a chinese red laid overtop of black. Maybe a deeper vibrant red would speak better to me. But, look at that detail! I love the hem work of her top, as well as the wrinkles. The third color is getting lost for me but I like it and think it could really pop better if it had a bit more contrast.

Very nice work. Looks like a good direction with many opportunities for growth. Thanks for showing your work here!

[peter baker]

Darabos & veedubya. Yep, I can see what you mean. I think your right I will take the spots in the background out.
Smileawhyl, The lighting for the photo was not the best. The red is a good bit deeper than it shows on the picture (sorry about that). I think I need leasons in photography :lol:.

The C&C are great it's just what I need to help me improve.

Many thanks
Peter :)