No idea how this will end

[burntlight]

I started this one with much lighter colors and have been slowly adding darker values. The sand/beach in the foreground needs a complete redoing: I want the ripple lines to be more consistent, less sloppy and accidental-looking, and the medallion's shadow to follow the highs and lows of the ripples . Also, add dark stones and shells. I would also like to soften the sun's hard edge, and soften the shoreline. But how?

Since I have no idea what I'm doing, these additions/corrections are likely to take a month or more.

11x15 Oil on wood. No title.

[Eduardo Flores]

I think that this work, vivid in color and surrealistic in expression, is already done.

I liked it!

Eduardo

[burntlight]

Thank you kindly. I believe that is the first compliment I've received for a painting outside of my immediate family.

[crafor]

I have a tendency to agree with Eduardo. It appears to insinuate "peace" but I get a foreboding feeling from it--hidden, approaching danger.
I think it's finished too. These other items that you suggest would, IMO, clutter it.
Crafor

[burntlight]

Thank you Crafor. I added a little color to the medallion earlier this afternoon.

If you're saying that there is a consistency here already, then I am going find a title, sign it and put it aside to dry. I've done that too many times before: gone and fiddled with a painting until it was muddy, cluttered and botched. There is, though, still some aspect to this that is not true to how it appeared in my mind, so I may revisit this idea in the future when I'm a bit more sure of my abilities.

And again, thank you. (maybe just a little darker on the medallion's shadow )

[Toril]

I also don't think you should do much more, I understand what you're saying about the shadow following the ripples in the sand (which I think are good as they are) but maybe paint a second version instead of doing anything with this? But I could see the value of a shell or conk in the foreground somewhere.

It is a very disturbing picture - like a happy, sunny day at the beach in a place I never want to visit.