Untitled

[Mary Ruth]

MY IMAGE(S):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/07-09-2002/10474_oldmill.jpg


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Untitled
Year Created: 2002
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 18
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
This is my first attempt at an oil. I have tried to teach myself and as you can see I really need help. My skin is thick and I want to know what I can do to improve.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I don't know enough to even ask for specific feedback. Anything you can help me with will be greatly appreciated. If it is just too pitiful for comment, I will understand that too.

[JustjoGA]

Absolutely beautiful! This is the best waterwheel painting I've ever seen. I LOVE the rockwork!

[Carol Lois]

Mary Ruth,
Your modesty about this painting is charming but unnecessary! The composition is strong, the colors work well, and the technique (though I do not paint in oils myself) looks quite effective. It's an inviting picture with many charming passages. If I find one thing jarring, it's this: Would the water be so blue if the sky were the ivory color you have made it? Overall I like your mill painting a lot and hope there are many more works to follow.

[plumpfairy]

:p Hello, Mary Ruth!
I am blown away......this is your FIRST oil painting? Wow! My first oil painting looked like a blu-black mudd lolly!
Fine job! Wanna see more.
jana:D

[belladonna]

Originally posted by Carol Lois
Mary Ruth,
Would the water be so blue if the sky were the ivory color you have made it? Overall I like your mill painting a lot and hope there are many more works to follow.
I agree with Mary. Also, take another look at your vanishing points. The decks and the rock wall seem to be out of sink. Love the sparkle on the water and the sky though. Really well done!

[Bellydanser]

I would agree with everyone that this is a fantastic first oil painting. If this is where you are starting, you'll go far.
Compositionally, I'd like to suggest looking at the overall balance. My first feeling is that all the weight of the picture starts in the middle and moves left. There is not enough strength on the right to balance. The center of interest, the wheel, is placed directly in the center of the painting. Perhaps, if the entire piece was moved just a bit left and then there was something of strength on the right to capture your interest it would help. Generally, you should not place your center of interest in the center of the picture. It creates more movement of the eye to have it offcenter.
Keep painting, you're off to a great start.

[Bellydanser]

I have done a very quick illustration of what I was talking about compositionally. I extended the area right and added the tree and bush. Also cropped a little off the left to reduce the wall. It was very well done, but so heavy it was competing with the mill itself.

[Mary Ruth]

I am sorry it has taken so long to get this message out to those of you who took the time to look at my work and give me your thoughts. I am as new to computers as I am painting, and couldn't figure out how to get a message out.

JustjoGA, Carol Lois, plumpfairy:
You have all been very, very kind. I am really encouraged by your comments. Makes me want to run out and find something to paint right now.
I understand the problem with the water color. I will work on that. Thanks!

Belladonna: I'm going to have to let my ignorance show. I know there is a problem. I just don't know beans about vanishing points. I know how important it is, and I hope to someday soon be able to take a drawing class. You are talking to a real 62 year old infant when it comes to the world of art. I can sometimes see when something is not right, but can't figure out what is wrong.

Bellydanser: Love your revision. Now why didn't I think of that

[JustjoGA]

Hi, Mary Ruth... I wanted to add a note that I do agree with the revision of cropping the wall and adding the tree. I was so taken with the rockwork, and the waterwheel itself, I failed to note the compositional elements. I myself have to be careful not to put a focal point smack in the middle of a painting. I look forward to seeing more of your work, especially involving rockwork and old buildings.