Red cottage by the woods

[udlamjo]

I haven't done anything in a long time this is a commission from work-mate , the cottage is demolish and no longer exists, i have problem with the foreground thankful for your input i am include,the ref picture

Paper Wallis white 12x18 vary soft pastel

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Mar-2009/116969-sp-008-vreferense.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Mar-2009/116969-sp-008-v015e.jpg

Mikael J :cat:

[BetsyPriesing]

Mikael this is very nice! I see what you mean on the fern bush. Perhaps you could simplfy and make it less detailed in strokes on the fern area. And bring some of the warmer green into it. Otherwise they are going to love it, a great little memorial of what was once...past.

[Paula Ford]

Mikael, I just think this is absolutely charming and also love that tree in front. Beautiful piece!

I have one suggestion...I don't think the shadow going off to the left, under the tree in front is necessary. If you grounded the trunk of that tree with a small shadow below it, it might read better. Does that make sense?

[Colorix]

Mikael, hej! Your workmate is going to love this! I agree with Paula, that little dark shadow tends to steal attention, so making an artist's decision that it doesn't support the main subjcet and can vanish would be a good idea. The light limbs of a tree (?) just over the roof to the far right could go too, they only distract.

The lawn is great with the yellows up front cooling as it recedes, making it lie flat. And you played down the light on the outhouse behind and to the left, that's great! The woods behind look great. And you got a nice balance between the cool shadowed parts of the house and the brighter lit parts. This typical Swedish red cottage is rather tricky, and you did beautifully!

I think the foreground is fine, the eye just moves past them, onto the main subject, the house.

And totally another matter: Have you seen the thread (http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=549490) in Pastel Talk, were we're a group of people starting to discuss forming a pastel society for Europe. I invite you to join the discussion!

Charlie

[udlamjo]

Thanks Betsy, Paula and Charlie ,good suggestions i have remove the shadow och tone down the amber ligth on the three maybe lose the bush to the left



http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Mar-2009/116969-sp-008-v016e.jpg

Mikael :thumbsup:

[Paula Ford]

Mikael, Excellent!!!

May I make one more suggestion? The dead twig on the roof on the upper right...I think that most viewers will not know what that is unless they are looking at the reference photo. Do you feel it is necessary for the composition of this piece?

[Deborah Secor]

I like the look of this one, Mikael. It's very crisp and inviting. The white and red paint amid the green sparkles. The colors are both accurate and pleasing.

I want to make a suggestion, even though I know it's a commission and you want to make it look a lot like the cabin. I would still remove all the bushes in the foreground, and shorten up that tree a bit, just to give room to 'walk up' to the front door. I suspect the person who owned the place wouldn't even remember or care that much about the bushes--they just showed up in the photo. (Maybe--I could be wrong, of course!)

I'd add some lighter highlights to the foliage on the tree and darken the color of the door to get the eye focused there, as well as lessening the contrast on the chimney on the roof, which isn't that important.

I hope you don't mind me showing you what I would do. I didn't try to show the texture of the grass, but I think it could be a little yellower, to enhance the sense of it coming forward:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-Mar-2009/23609-116969-sp-008-v016e.jpg

This is just what I think, and of course it's your painting, so you can ignore me! I just think this opens up the composition more...

Love the way you did the background trees. Beautiful painting. Your co-worker will enjoy it, I'm sure.

Deborah

[binkie]

This is lovely. What a great spot to iinspire one to paint.

binkie

[Mary Brigid]

Mikael your workmate will love this. I do like your changes. I really like your grass and trees
Mary Brigid

[Donna T]

I like the changes you made too. I agree with Paula about removing the branch from the roof. I doubt the owners would miss it. I've never done a commission like this and think you did a very good job of capturing the likeness and charm of this little cottage.

Donna

[udlamjo]

Deborah you are right i didn't like the bushes so i have removed them , tryed to darken the door and removed the TV antenna thank for all your advices

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Mar-2009/116969-sp-008-v017e.jpg

Mikael :)