Johannes - Student Critique Posts Only

[Johannes Instructor]

Originally Posted by beart

I'm still working on this one. It is a challenge I'm hoping to bring into this painting where the girl looks like she is way up on a cliff edge looking down upon the tops of trees. Got suggestions

I agree it looks like grass more than trees, however that does not matter. We are not seeing the original photo so we would not know otherwise. I would work on the foot more. It seems overgrown.

[Johannes Instructor]

Originally Posted by LadyMadonna

This is my first "almost" portrait because I really do not know how ..yet. I am anxious to learn. I tried to use the commandment principles as best I could but I know there are many "rules" to painting portraits that I know nothing about.
Any advice is welcome. Any reference material would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

I would not put green at both edges of the painting. Remember divide your painting into two parts and compare bot sides so they are different.

[Johannes Instructor]

Originally Posted by maryinasia

how about this one? too much yellow? horizon line too straight?

I feel the sky is too flat. You could create a gradient plane.

[chalet_dor]

Originally Posted by Johannes Instructor

I would not put green at both edges of the painting. Remember divide your painting into two parts and compare bot sides so they are different.

I am reading this and am so happy to understand what you are talking about.........

[Judi1957]

Hi Jo--could you C & C this

Originally Posted by Judi1957

Hi Johannes,

I am not really sure how to make the rocks look wet but tried. I added greys as per your C & C and trailed some water between the rocks. Added land on the horizon line.
I think I need to blend the rock's colors more.

Thanks so much for your time!

[crazywoman53]

Thanks Joe... yes that is exactly what it needed. It was bothering me much. I got up this morning and looked at it again and asked myself "what would Joe say" I saw right away that left edge of the right group was too straight and broke it up similar to what you have shown here. I'll work on it some more tonight when I go home and get the over all shape improved. I originally had the background a light tan but it did nothing for the yellow trees. So changed it to the purple to make it compliment as well as soften. I liked that much better. Thank you once again for your guidance!

[jmcedeno]

Originally Posted by LadyMadonna

This is my first "almost" portrait because I really do not know how ..yet. I am anxious to learn. I tried to use the commandment principles as best I could but I know there are many "rules" to painting portraits that I know nothing about.
Any advice is welcome. Any reference material would be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Donna this one is beautiful reminds me of the work of the Impresionists like Sorolla, Monet, and others. You have developed your own style like any others I've seen. Congratulations.

[beart]

Thanks Jo, here is the ref photo as I tried to position the figure to not be in center and apply the stuff I learnt from you. I wanted to put the 3D effect in it. I was trying to make it look like she was much higher than the tops of the trees.

[LadyMadonna]

Thank you Jose and Dor and others for all of your encouragement. I am not sure what my 'style ' is ..all I know is it just flows out of me and I love every moment of it. Thank you.

[Judi1957]

Donna, Your work is lovely. I especially enjoy your abstracts! Like said B4 me--I never appreciated them--till I saw yours.

Johannes, I worked more on this. I tried to make the backdrop mountains different shapes. Noticed they were clones B4.
Your critique is always appreciated! Thank-you!

[LadyMadonna]

Here is my second portait . I am not sure if I am doing this right ..all I know is I am enjoying the learning curve. This one got closer than the last one and all I did was use the same principles you have taught us all along. What I dont understand is the background layouts on paintings such as these..
This face reminds me of someone but I have no idea who ..
Ps Thank you Judi !

[Johannes Instructor]

Originally Posted by LadyMadonna

Here is my second portait . I am not sure if I am doing this right ..all I know is I am enjoying the learning curve. This one got closer than the last one and all I did was use the same principles you have taught us all along. What I dont understand is the background layouts on paintings such as these..
This face reminds me of someone but I have no idea who ..
Ps Thank you Judi !

What you are doing it impressionist portrait. It will work as long as your proportions are right and nothing is defined sharply. As soon as you do define something you ruin it. So that eye on the right needs to be more vague. Since you are pursuing this venue in portraits take a look at Carolyn Anderson's work. She is quite well known and established. It is quite similar to what you are doing.
http://carolynanderson.com/

[chalet_dor]

Originally Posted by Johannes Instructor

What you are doing it impressionist portrait. It will work as long as your proportions are right and nothing is defined sharply. As soon as you do define something you ruin it. So that eye on the right needs to be more vague. Since you are pursuing this venue in portraits take a look at Carolyn Anderson's work. She is quite well known and established. It is quite similar to what you are doing.
http://carolynanderson.com/

Thanks for the link...........I wish everyone would read what Carolyn Anderson has written.......... oh how I love her thoughts............dor)

http://carolynanderson.com/Thoughts%20on%20Painting.htm

[beart]

Thanks for the link also as I do the realistic I love Donna's approach and I commented to her not to ruin her style.

[chalet_dor]

Originally Posted by beart

I'm still working on this one. It is a challenge I'm hoping to bring into this painting where the girl looks like she is way up on a cliff edge looking down upon the tops of trees. Got suggestions

Hello Beart
I've never said hello to you........so Hi
I am so impressed with your painting of the girl in the wind hold her hair out of her face and looking down at the world below her.
I realized how good you are, when you posted the reference photo. Wish I had your ability. Smiles to you........... dor)