Lawn Maintainance at the Priory xpost landscape

marpeters55 · #1 10-22-2009, 04:49 PM

Pastel, 18"x24" on Richeson Sanded Paper (c&c welcome and encouraged)

Adriana Meiss · #2 10-22-2009, 06:21 PM

Funny title for the post!
Wow, this is really large! The sheep look like sheep to me.
Composition-wise, you have elements that work well. Though, the structure on the top right is not clear to me what it is (a gate?)
Two things confuse me: the sky looks overcast, but I see strong shadows under the yellow trees.
A few details here and there and you'll have a very nice pastoral scene.

**DAK723** · #3 10-22-2009, 07:50 PM

Hi Mark,

Some things are working quite well in this, including the sheep, which look good!

I am wondering if the photo you have posted is under-exposed, because everything is quite dark. If things really are this dark, then I would suggest lightening (and brightening) everything! I hope you don't mind, but I made some adjustments in photoshop. Hopefully, your painting looks more like this:

Don

marpeters55 · #4 10-23-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adriana Meiss

Funny title for the post!
Wow, this is really large! The sheep look like sheep to me.
Composition-wise, you have elements that work well. Though, the structure on the top right is not clear to me what it is (a gate?)
Two things confuse me: the sky looks overcast, but I see strong shadows under the yellow trees.
A few details here and there and you'll have a very nice pastoral scene.

I forgot to post the clarifying info that this is outside Lanercost Priory, Carlisle, UK. The sheep are allowed to roam because they crop the grass (the title was a weak attempt at humor

).
It is a gate, the remains of a wall that enclosed the original structure.
It was very over cast, but the reference photo showed a distinct shadow. However, it troubled me to when i finished the painting so i will go back and lighten it some.
Thanks for taking the time to look so closely and comment.

marpeters55 · #5 10-23-2009, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAK723

Hi Mark,

Some things are working quite well in this, including the sheep, which look good!

I am wondering if the photo you have posted is under-exposed, because everything is quite dark. If things really are this dark, then I would suggest lightening (and brightening) everything! I hope you don't mind, but I made some adjustments in photoshop. Hopefully, your painting looks more like this:

Don

It is probably somewhere between my version and yours. It does frustrate me sometimes trying to get an accurate photo. I seldom like the way one of my paintings look in the photo as much as IRL. I wondered if it was too dark (IRL) but my resident critic (my wife) said she didn't think so, so I am not sure which way to go. Thanks for looking in and taking the time to photo shop the image. Helpful suggestions are always appreciated.

Paula Ford · #6 10-23-2009, 08:22 AM

Mark, There are some wonderful elements working in this painting. The sheep are terrific. I was wondering if instead of having all of them going in the same direction and leading us out of the painting on the left, maybe if you turned the 2 that are on the far left to point back into the painting? That way, the viewers eye would stay in the painting and continue up the left to the trees, and then to the gate, and back down to the sheep again.

I'm also wondering what is on the other side of that gate. In the opening, is it really that dark? Can you post the reference photo?

Donna T · #7 10-23-2009, 08:25 AM

Nice work on those lawn mowers, Mark - I've seen goats used for the same purpose. I admire the fact that you were able to do such a detailed work on that paper. I have some and find it good only for removing large chunks of my pastels!

marpeters55 · #8 10-23-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paula Ford

Mark, There are some wonderful elements working in this painting. The sheep are terrific. I was wondering if instead of having all of them going in the same direction and leading us out of the painting on the left, maybe if you turned the 2 that are on the far left to point back into the painting? That way, the viewers eye would stay in the painting and continue up the left to the trees, and then to the gate, and back down to the sheep again.

I'm also wondering what is on the other side of that gate. In the opening, is it really that dark? Can you post the reference photo?

In parts of rural England there were large hedgerows planted along the side of the road (often very close to the road). That is mostly what is seen throught the gate. Here is the ref photo.

marpeters55 · #9 10-23-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna T

Nice work on those lawn mowers, Mark - I've seen goats used for the same purpose. I admire the fact that you were able to do such a detailed work on that paper. I have some and find it good only for removing large chunks of my pastels!

Yes, it does do that. (I collect the dust and my wife makes into a grey pastel for me [as recommended by Maggie Price]). But I do like the paper, esp since I cannot by Wallis paper locally.

Salute to our Partners