Lost

[Round]

MY IMAGE(S):







GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: Lost
Year Created:
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 24x30 in
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
I paint using plants (that I grow), objects and creatures (that I am very familiar with) metaphorically in my works. There is personal narrative that the viewer may or may not detect or be curious about.

I try to use light to convey not only depth but I suppose an air of mystery too.

I've temporarily framed this work to gauge the impact.


MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
I'm not sure that the work (the ideas and the composition) and the painting (technically) has been fully resolved. Not feeling totally satisfied! I've also struggled with painting some finer details owing to the texture of the canvas.

I would really appreciate structured feedback for this work as I really feel I need some impartial and serious response to it. It's difficult to get that from those who know you well!

Many thanks in anticipation
Round

[Revilo]

Lots of good work here. I think you are quite near to finished. The locket, enameled pendant, or othewise is, in my opinion, the one part you may want to retouch. The color looks greenish in the photo, making the pendant appear to be made of jade or plastic. It also lacks symmetry and delicacy. I think it would look much better if you found a reference of a pendant with a good miniature portrait to work from and use a very small pointed sable to render with. If this were done with a touch more realism it would elevate the work overall.

Consider working on panel instead of canvas if you want a smoother ground.

Hope I'm not being too critical.

[Round]

Hi Revilo
Thanks for taking the time to provide me with some feedback. The pendant bothers me too. It is actually made of jade (I own it) and I think it doesn't appear symmetrical as the left hand side is turned slightly away from the viewer. The perspective is probably not quite right though. The texture of the canvas was a big issue in trying to give it the required delicacy. I'll try to do more on it but I'm not confident in improving it much. I'll make sure to work on a better quality surface next time!

Cheers
Round

[Debzy]

Hi Round! I think this is beautiful! You have some wonderful detail in your plants and the inclusion of the birds makes for a very pleasant scene of nature indeed. I love the subtly hidden locket, I didn't notice it at first, I thought the bird at the bottom was lost lol! Then I scrolled down and saw it and I think it is beautiful. I love the colours and the clarity of everything, quite delightful and very well defined. The locket could maybe stand out a tiny weeny bit more, but then..... it wouldn't be lost! In my opinion... I wouldn't really change anything, it may get overworked. Well done. Cheers =)) Debs.

[Round]

Hi Debs
Thank you for taking the time to look, delve a little into the painting and respond. You've affirmed some of the things I was trying to get across!

I happened to find some of your paintings yesterday while just beginning to immerse in all that WC offers (I've just joined). I know the skills and artistry required in painting with water colours. Your Yarrimundi Bridge is an excellent work.

Thanks and cheers
Round

[goddessofgeek]

Very reminiscent of Frida Kahlo's later works. I like the colors a lot. My only critique would be to add a bit more darkness just around the locket so that it stand out just a LITTLE more. I like it hidden, it's just hard to see it.

[Round]

Hi Stacy
Thanks for taking the time to comment and provide some advice. Yes I'm going to do some more work on that pendant. It's been nagging me!

I have always loved Frida Kahlo's works and her sense of colour. Surrealism also appeals to me greatly so I try to achieve some sense of 'other worldliness' in my works.

Cheers
Round

[Andrewcody]

Hi Round, I think you have painted something very interesting. I would not worry about the asymmetrical locket it fits with the naturalness of the other objects, a living thing.
Welcome to Wetcanvas.
Regards
Andrew

[Round]

Hi Andrew
Thanks for that and the welcome!
it was interesting for me to paint but you never know if the viewer will have a similar response to the work. Everyone brings something different to their viewing and response. And that's a good thing!

Cheers
Round

[henrik]

Reminds me of Swedish painter Karl-Axel Pehrsson (google for images). I like almost everything about this painting (Pehrsson is a personal favorite btw), but there is something bothering me - it could be the background / sky - too saturated perhaps? I think that may be it - it comes forward a bit like a wall or backdrop and it cuts the painting in two distinct halves diagonally.

Maybe I am influenced by looking at Pehrsson's similar paintings - his skies are less saturated - more distant and not so heavy.

Not sure I would actually change it - depends on how it looks in real life - may just be the photo.

Love the mystery and symbols.

[Round]

Hi Henrik
Thank you for responding to this work. I was not aware of Karl-Axel Pehrsson's art but have just looked at some of his works on google. I love the detailing he gives to plants and the 'other worldliness' of his works. I shall explore them further. Thanks for bringing him to my attention.

Yes the sky is quite saturated and the 'diagonal' is jarring. I was trying to convey an unsettling mood in the work with the brewing sky (changed it many times) and some of the plant forms. I've tried to tell a personal story.

I tend to paint a bit too intuitively and should probably plan it more carefully. The sky could have worked better. I might try losing some of the heaviness in it. My works evolve on canvas without preliminary studies. There's a lesson there!

Cheers
Round

[henrik]

Glad you liked Karl-Axel Pehrsson, among other things, he designed the Swedish "Oscar's" statuette - "the golden beetle". There is a mural in the Stockholm Museum "Thielska Galleriet" - there is a documentary made by Swedish Television that shows him painting that step by step - can't find it online though . My mother took me to an exhibition when I was a kid - he was from my home town and passed away in 2005. I have a lithography that is not all that different from your paining actually

Here is a short video clip from a retrospective exhibition last year: http://vimeo.com/25108281


Regarding "planning" - a small thumbnail done quickly with just a few levels of grey and some primary shapes saves lots of problems later - keep that as a grand master plan for your levels... I find doing a sketch by hand, that I scan, and then use a paint program, quickly lets me try out levels and color combinations.

[Round]

Love Pehrsson's paintings in the video clip. Very evocative!

Thanks so much Henrik for taking the time to provide this support and advice, particularly re 'planning' - something I will pick up on.

Cheers
Round

[Bluegill]

I don't think the locket looks asymmetrical. Could the lack of definition and lesser contrast on the lower right side of the locket make it appear that way to some? I wonder if you increased the definition and contrast in that area if it would "straighten" out?

I like this quite a lot. It really has an unearthly, alien feeling, despite obviously depicting real-world objects. It also has the jarring combination of pleasing colors and shapes combined with what is implied to me as a sad narrative.

[Round]

Hi and thanks for your response. Your perceptions of the work pretty well reflect what I was trying to convey so I'm pleased about that!

And as for that damned locket (big grin)!! It is meant to appear to be turning slightly to the left, away from the viewer, not facing straight on. I think I need to go back to the drawing board on that one - the perspective I've given it is obviously not quite convincing.

Mark, I've just 'discovered' your website. Your pen and ink (walnut ink too!!) work is really beautiful and not just technically speaking; the works have great life to them. Love your sense of light and colour in your paintings too!

Cheers
Round