Buying Freedom 172

.I have added this photo here as I really need help with this one, I did it a year ago and feel my work has improved, having said that I realise fully I am still very new to acrylics, and there is so much I need to learn. Something about this that is not quite right Lots really, hoping to get INSPIRATION, as I think it could be OK, and I intend to do a series of these, as they are very popular here. I have done a bit more to it since this photo though picked the wrong one. Also I varnished it, Is is ok to paint over the varish?Rate:
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Comment by Patricia Genever on January 15, 2011 at 9:54: Hi Maylon,

I recognize the bits and pieces of Cape Town. The sky in summer is really that blue some mornings. I also love the blue green water and the waves are superb. Well done for putting the focal point in the correct spot too. I love it!!

Comment by Maylon Clarke on September 30, 2010 at 21:14: I have changed my mind again, as I am seeing where to go with this one now, thanks to all the great comments Will post for you all to see when finished. I have learned a lot in the last year, and am seeing things that could make a massive difference to this painting, mainly to do with colours and atmospheric perspective, also the light source is different in places in this painting, spoiling it. We have to have a strong light source in every painting, especially one so bright and sunny. Thanks all for your input, it is appreciated a lot.

Comment by Maylon Clarke on September 26, 2010 at 23:22: It is a totally made up painting, using some beach photos to get the mountains right, then not looking at the photos again. LOL I will post this when finished, as it is a learning curve to all of us, not sure when, but soooooooooon, busy on a w/c painting of Koi fish, not easy at all, as I do not know them well, not like my beloved horses, and even knowing every muscle and movement, still very difficult to do, and get right, as you know.

Comment by Gail Runciman-Nicholls on September 26, 2010 at 20:53: Big job Maylon! I think you're up for the challenge though! :-))

Comment by Maylon Clarke on September 26, 2010 at 20:43: Ran out of space below so want to add, I am going to raise the horizon line, quiet a bit, so those heads drop below the horizon, pushing the whole picture more in perspective, going to take a few chances here, as I can only learn from it. Also put more shadows in the sea and horses . The light is low in the west,coming from the left in this painting, so the side of the horses we can see is in shadow, the grey needs to be darker, also their shadows longer and not so dark, going to try put them in a spotlight that goes across a section of the beach, and get the values right. Not happy as it is, so can only improve, as a lot of work has gone in here. the big mountain needs to be lightened and the cloud darkened, also thought I would add more clouds across the top, big challenge that one, LOL but have to do something there, might be easier than lowering the chroma of the sky, it will also balance the painting more, I think.
Thanks again
Maylon

Comment by Gail Runciman-Nicholls on September 26, 2010 at 20:38: Hi Maylon,
I am so glad to hear you are able to use the suggestions we have provided. It has proved yet again, that it takes more than one set of eyes to get it right. Every little bit helps.
As you said originally said, it has a lot of good elements, and is a worthwhile start. :-))

Comment by Maylon Clarke on September 26, 2010 at 20:21: Hi Gail , Yes it is acrylic varnish, so I thought I could, anyway have, too late now, LOL This painting is a real challenge, as it is my 3rd acrylic and I really liked the subject, and the second on this subject was a success, so this one can be as well, but it needs major changes.That is what I LOVE about acrylics , you can. I think I can see it now with all your help. As Ro said I made it B&W, as I have loads of photos of this beach I personally have taken, so I had a lot to compare by making them B&W as well. The chrome of the sky is way too deep, but a surprise to me is the large mountain and cloud , both those are wrong, the mountain way too dark, and the cloud way to light. Also that horizon line as you pointed out, is a major issue for me, thanks for that ,as I did not notice that, and it is a "Tangent" I think you call it, with the riders heads, not good. I am going to have to change the whole top of this painting, can see NOW due to all three of you, and the advice given.Thanks

Comment by Maylon Clarke on September 26, 2010 at 10:06: Hi Ro, it makes perfect sense what you said, I did make the painting B&W and it is very noticable, that that is what is wrong. Also in the B&W the sky does look too dark for the other values in the painting, so maybe Gail has hit on something there as well. Jeffrey said the edges of the two nearest mountains are too sharp. i agree with this as well. Need to push them back more and they need to be less sharp.The spot light effect is exactly what i want to do. My latest two painting are much better in B&W, so the values are the problem here. I do not see a problem with painting over the varnish, but just thought I would ask as i would hate to ruin it, if it takes me forever I will get it eventually. Thanks for the help though.

Comment by Gail Runciman-Nicholls on September 26, 2010 at 9:49: Hi Maylon,
I understand what you are saying about going back to older paintings AFTER you have discovered some new skill.
I remember in the workshop course I did - the artist teaching us said that very intense skies overwhelm a painting, because the area within your support cannot match the intensity of the actual sky - for that reason, he said to always knock the chroma back a little. I always add a tiny amount of orange to my wash mix for skies.

You asked about painting over varnish. Is it an acrylic varnish? If so, the answer is yes.

I have noticed this morning that the light on the horses is coming form two different directions. I understand that there will be some reflected light on the Bay horse, ie: the hind quarters, perhaps a little too strong when it has no top light, like the Grey. Another thing that unsettles me a bit - it looks like the riders' heads are being cut off by the horizon line - maybe it could be toned back there, OR they coud be brightened up in that spotlight that Ro speaks of.
Again, hope this is useful. Very hard going back; as yu said a lot of good work, with a few minor hiccups. :-))

Comment by Roena King on September 26, 2010 at 3:15: Maylon, I thought Gail and Jeffery had good ideas. Have you watched Richard's Spot Light Effect video on youtube? The ocean pic Reflections that you commented on and Richard's paintings (to me) have a lot of mid values and then a punch with the highlight in a special spot. Your lights are all over the canvas like most people put them. You and I are a like. I know what I want to achieve (that punch), but up to now have not managed it. If you take their paintings and turn them into B&W I think it is easier to see the concentration of values. I just bet your painting has values more evenly distributed. Both of the color courses I have taken talk about compressed falues into the middle range 3-4-5-6-7 then use your lightest light and darkest dark very little to give it that punch. Make sence? Ro ///// So far I have not painted in acrylic but I am very interested if anyone answers the question of can you paint over a varnished painting with acrylics. If not, can you paint over it with oils? I know you can paint over acrylics with oils.