A Wave of Two Tails

[Flycatcher10]

Oil Pastels: Mungyo, Neopastels and Senneliers
9 x 11.5: Watercolor Paper, ColdPressed

I found a reference picture from Andy (Wetcanvas, Marine Section) that I instantly fell in love with. Andy shot a great photo of how powerful the ocean can be. My camera doesn't reflect the richness of the colors used, most of the greens aren't showing . I've adjusted as best I can.

This is the first wave in a series that I'm developing. What looks like a jagged horizon is actually a wave breaking in the distance that was at the horizon. Any suggestions on making it look more natural and correct is really welcomed - my thoughts would be to raise the horizon so that wave doesn't sit on the horizon.

I'm very interested in your comments, suggestions and feedback. Thanks, Mary

[randalljazz]

really captures the power of the ocean! wonderful work.

[Shamrock15]

Very nice. My one comment would be regarding that foremost wave breaking from right to left. Maybe it is the greens you mentioned not showing up, but it looks too "solid" and it the top blue line of it on the right side I believe is what is giving the problem with the horizon. The rest of it - the flow, the highlights, all read very well for me.

[Marty C]

I've seen that reference of Andy's, Mary, and you have done a very good job on it.
Digital seems to bias blue over green which is a real problem in seascape work.
My main suggestion would be to push the value contrasts even more in future, that's where the drama is found.

[jickmagger]

Hard to find something there to improve without knowing the reference. What normally most viewers do not know!
So, - it´s a fantastic work that you have done.
The dynamic and movement really comes across!


udo

[rkprod]

Outstanding job on recreating the harsh turbulance of the ocean, Mary.
Ron

[VickiB]

Beautiful painting Mary, can't believe the amount of detail you have for that size. I really like all of the tiny beads of foam that are sitting on the face of the wave, such precision and patience.

If it were mine I wouldn't raise the horizon, I think you would loose the impact of the cross in the wave, which for me is the climax of your painting and everything else leads into that. My only suggestion would be to add some more depth into the foam on the left side of the break, you might find that you can create an extra diagonal into your composition which points to the focal area? Just a suggestion.

Top notch stuff.

PS I have been unfortunate enough to encounter dangerous waves like this one. They sure do look scarey when you in the middle of them sitting in a boat.

[Flycatcher10]

Hi Everyone - thank you for reviewing:

Randall: thank you very much - it's a scary kind of power isn't it?

Shamrock: thanks for reviewing the painting. I see what you mean w/re to what you're seeing w/the wave structure. In reality it was painted with a mix of blues and greens that aren't showing up and has broken up the solidness w/which you refer. The camera doesn't take an accurate photo.

Marty: Thanks for your feedback and suggestion, appreciate it. Andy has provided some fantastic reference pictures. I'll keep your suggestion in mind w/re to the value contrasts for my next painting.

Udo: Thank you for commenting on the energy of the movement.

Ron: Thanks it's the power of the oceans force that moved me to paint this one.

Vicki: Thank you for your feedback - I really appreciate it. I understand your suggestion and agree about having more depth to the left side of the break. I'm going to consider going back in to work on this aspect after the painting has had time to rest. Can't imagine encountering a wave like this - yikes, that's scary!

[Coastal]

Beautiful and alive. Great job

[Flycatcher10]

Hi John: thank you kindly for your comments.

[viking57]

This looks pretty good to me Mary. I've painted about 3, maybe 4 ocean paintings, blue water paintings, but not wave paintings so this is nice to see how it is handled. Good work.
Ron

[Flycatcher10]

Hi Ron:

Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it. These wave studies have helped me learn a lot w/re to values, colors, form and wave structures. It's been a good discovery process.