Red Rose

[gsb55]

MY IMAGE(S):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/07-26-2002/9545_red_rose_sm.jpg


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Red Rose
Year Created: 2002
Medium: Watercolor
Surface: Paper
Dimension: 6
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
I used one of Rod's photos as reference.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I think it looks flat, not enough depth to the petals. The background could use something too!

Any comments are welcome.

[Carol Lois]

Your painting shows great watercolor technique, especially the various textures and light reflections. Two details you might want to look at are (1) the similar graded-wash treatment of ALL the petals across the top and (2) the overall middle value of the whole picture.
(1) Would you consider making some of those top petals a flat wash or something else to vary them?
(2) How about a strong dark abstract shape in the background to provide more value-contrast?
Really like this. Your love of flowers really comes through!
Carol Lois

[plumpfairy]

:p Oh, I think this is very well rendered.......H20 colors are a bugger for me.
The water on the petals are excellent!
and......I agree with Carol.....the background could be much more dark...maybe even solid....to make your beautiful rose POP OUT!
jana:clap: :clap:

[Bellydanser]

Using some greens to deepen the shadows in the rose, and washing some warm reds across parts of the closest leaves in the foreground may help with the depth. :) I agree, the droplets look very well rendered.

[gsb55]

Thank you all for the help and the kind words. I will try all the suggestions.

Does everyone have these periods of self-doubt? I'm not being humble, I just see some of my work as not very good and some pieces very I'm very pleased with.

Gary

[plumpfairy]

:p Dear Gary,
You are not alone in the "confidence" dept., or rather the lack there of. I personally think that humility is a fine quality to have......it leaves the door open for more growth.
jana;)

[JustjoGA]

Beautiful rose, Gary... I just have one small point to suggest... The outer edge all around the flower looks like an outline, either white paper or a line... if you take the damp brish and feather the edges all around so it loses the sharp edge, it would be even better. I agree with a darker background also. And your water droplets are super.

[gsb55]

Originally posted by JustjoGA
The outer edge all around the flower looks like an outline, either white paper or a line... if you take the damp brish and feather the edges all around so it loses the sharp edge, it would be even better.

In the photo the rose has a white edge on some of the petals but it is not as crisp as I have made it. In the next one I'll take more time and blend one petal at a time. I find it very hard to wait for the paint to dry.

Thanks for all the suggestions.
Gary

[Bellydanser]

Yes, watercolor does require some patience for drying paint. ;) I had a student with tremendous impatience. We finally decided she should work on two or three watercolors at the same time, giving each time to dry, and not overworking them. It worked very well for her.