Black Vase with Peonies

[Michael Lang]

I was really taken with this vase, which inspired me to paint it along with the peonies. I used various hues of mixed blacks as well as some ivory black  Your comments or critiques are very welcome. It's in oil on 16x12 in, 40x30 cm canvas.

Michael

www.michaeljuleslang.blogspot.co.uk

[Christine Kirton]

Michael the handling of the peonies and the upper surface of the vase is great, a good use of values in the flower form. If the light is coming from above or from the right hand side, which the flowers and vase rim suggest. The base of the vase is in conflict with the suggestion of so much reflected light, and the shadow emphasis going to the right at the base. For me, there is a need to use dark values to get that vase curving away from the viewer, at its base with reflections from the dark green foliage above interplaying with the blacks. With the background soften the brushwork even more on the pinks until they are lost edges, and then use this to show a distinction between wall and table surface...........
once you've sorted light direction more clearly, then the shadows will come into play better.
It's a good one Michael!

[Michael Lang]

Thanks very much, Christine. I agree with all your perceptive comments, and will make some changes.

P.S. I saw this vase at the Royal Opera House and was really taken with it.

Michael

www.michaeljuleslang.blogspot.co.uk

[Aurelia Sieberhagen]

Hi Michael,

I just saw on the VAA website that you have left.  That is so sad because you were always such an inspiration and good teacher.  I am sure you are a big loss to the VAA website.  Hope you are well and will still keep painting.

Best wishes

Aurelia

 

[Michael Lang]

Thank you, Aurelia. As I said, I left entirely for personal reasons, VAA is great.

[Marie Francis]

This is beautiful Michael.  Very Impressionistic!  I love the way you have done the reflection on the glass.

[Michael Lang]

Thank you again for your kind words, Marie.

[Reid Barton]

OK, I take back all my comments on your landscape (the bg and all) cause you clearly have a tight grasp of what I was referring to. Dang, I should have opened this discussion before I opened my yap. Really, really nice painting. And speaking og backgrounds, your's here is perfect. I love the subtle variation in texture from bottom to top. I don't even know if I'm putting the the right way. Anyhow...man, you're good at this stuff. 

[Michael Lang]

Thank you very much, Reid - I really appreciate your comments, Reid.