Mc Donald Creek Structured Critique Please

[harryfisherman]

MY IMAGE(S):



GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Mc Donald Creek Structured Critique Please
Year Created:
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 16 x 20
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
I left the reflections out until I hear about the tree mass.

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
An overall impression would help. Especially the tree mass.

Thanks

Harry

[song_bird]

I do think the grove of trees looks too organized. I would vary heights, create depth and atmospheric perspective with the trees, open them up some with sky peeking through, include some understory trees and shrubs ...

If you want the trees along the creek to bend, I would make them stand out more. Show some trunk and sky.

I like the layout, colors. Mountain and sky look great. Water looks like it will be great, too.

[harryfisherman]

Thanks. I think I know what you mean. Even though there are "cut outs" in the tree line it;s not enough to kill the straight line of all the trees being the same heigth.

Also the lack of depth causes the trees to look pasted on.

Would you have an Artist as an example?.

Thanks

Harrt

[song_bird]

I looked up McDonald Creek and a lot of the pictures do show dense and straight. Here are some that had more
variation:

[harryfisherman]

Song Bird,

Thank you so much for taking the time to post these pictures. The trees are very tight in my reference photo also. But that needs to change for a good painting.

What I need is a cross between Clyde Aspevig and Scott Christensen(U.K.)

Of course if I could do that I wouldn't be here.

Thanks again

Harry

[song_bird]

I think if you break things up with less sameness, and add some green evergreens in with the gold, the composition is nice. Couldn't get some feathery treetops going.

Maybe some birds or a canoer. Some rocks.

Incorporating from the photographs:

[harryfisherman]

Song Bird,

Thank you so much. I had a general idea what was needed. This gives me some direction. This is a big help.

Thanks

Harry

[song_bird]

Your welcome. Glad it helped to see something different. I hope you'll post progress pictures.

[harryfisherman]

Song Bird,

I think this is a big improvement. I still need to do the tree line. What do you think?

Harry

[song_bird]

Yes, that is coming along nicely! Much better with more variation.

I particularly like the texture of those tall firs on the left. Maybe you could bring more of that to the trees on the right too. You have captured them beautifully.

I like the addition of reds in the brush and some blue in the evergreens. I can picture some rocks and pebbles scattered along the shoreline if that appeals to you.