critique this please

[artbyking]

<IMG SRC="http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-Apr-2001/PrairieHills.jpeg" border=0> Here's a better image than first posted.

I found this scene in South Dakota and actually sketched it out right there. The colors are my own feeling from many hours spent enjoying the solitude of the prairie in the fall. Yes there are hills and valleys in the prairie. They are wonderful because they appear so unique to the flat topography surrounding them.

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All is physics, geometry, and art.

[This message has been edited by artbyking (edited April 02, 2001).]

[LDianeJohnson]

If possible, could you post a little bit bigger version of this piece? You have a lot going on in the painting and it would be great to view it with more detail.

From what I can see, you have a beautifully rich treatment of the subject. The sunlight hitting the middle ground area to the left is appropriate and brings drama to the painting.

From this monitor, the sky appears very cool pink compared to the warmth of the land. Adjusting the "pinkness" slightly may work better with the land.

You have a good path from the middle ground to the background holding the viewer within the painting. I would just be concerned about cutting off the foreground of the painting by that lovely lighted hill. My eye tends to want to stop at this hill and not go into the background. With a few strokes you could bring the foreground and background together even more effectively.

The visual texture in this painting is lush and makes me want to park and linger awhile

Diane

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L. Diane Johnson NAPA, PSA
2001/2002 Plein Air Workshops

[tammy]

Lovely. I can see why you sketched it. Would bring a peace to sit and look at.

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Don't worry, its gonna be all right....
Tammy's Home for Artists

[sajemak]

Did you use pastels? If so, let me know as I am doing my first soft pastel picture! I love the colors you used.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[artbyking]

I used acrylics on canvas, that's all i know how to do. Thanks for your comments. Alizarin crimson is a friend of mine!

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All is physics, geometry, and art.

[LDianeJohnson]

artbyking,

You handle acrylics deftly!!

Diane

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L. Diane Johnson NAPA, PSA
2001/2002 Plein Air Workshops

[artbyking]

Diane, thanks for the compliment and the suggestions. I think I see what you mean about the foreground. I am not sure that I really don't want you to stop there or end up there. I like that red grass (little bluestem) . I was thinking of placing a deer in that area. (the real lingerers of this area- it's kind of their land) I know it may seem like that may just make the problem worse (getting stuck there) but maybe, with the right pose, it could be used to direct the eyes down the valley. What was it you had in mind by the few strokes? I am "learn by doing person "at this point and I don't want to mess up the feeling of this piece with a lot of my experiments. I'm really more tenacious than deft, but thanks.. Tim

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All is physics, geometry, and art.

[Spectra7]

This painting definately evoked an emotional reaction in me. The sense of mood is ery with the play of lights and shadows over the baren landscape and the over all cool tone. the eye is well controlled and keeps you in the painting. The feeling of loneliness is forboding. Impressive.

A couple of points for possible improvement. The horizon line, especially on the left needs some work to be consistant. The straight horizontal line there seems like it doesn't belong with the other shapes to the right. I see much more texture and detail in the mound in the forground and that helps bring it forward, but I found myself wanting some recognizable shape to set scale in this painting. I am not quite sure what the distances are in relation to the size of the landscape elements. I think it is always important to remember we do not have the visual ques that you would pick up when you are at the actually location so it is necessary to provide them.

Very nice, keep it up!

Gene

[This message has been edited by Spectra7 (edited April 08, 2001).]

[artbyking]

Gene,
Thanks for the positive response and the constructive criticism. I see what you mean about the straight line.

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All is physics, geometry, and art.