Castle IV

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Comment by Jon Main on November 4, 2013 at 4:35

Thanks Chan and Stu! Good point Stu - I'd noticed that the 'tunnel' was too light (or vv - hill too dark!)... OK

Comment by Dr.Chandana "Chan" Hewage on November 4, 2013 at 3:59

Nice composition Jon. Having a good color harmony too. Well done.

Comment by Stuart J. Gourlay on November 4, 2013 at 1:40

Jon, here's what I see that gives me a problem.  The little tunnel between the trees shows off a hillside that looks further away to me than the hill on top of the trees; if you put your left thumb over the hill above the trees, it read OK; you might want to try looking at this image in black and white.  Also, the shapes of your vineyards on both sides of the path are a bit too symmetric; vary them just a bit.  Nice overall design and good color harmony. 

Comment by Jessica Futerman on November 2, 2013 at 10:28

Yes, I agree Jon - I learn a lot from reading everyone's comments & it's so much easier to see things in someone's else's work.  It's really helpful to me when people point out problem areas & suggest solutions!  I guess we just get too close to our own work too see it objectively!  

Comment by Jon Main on November 1, 2013 at 22:41

Excellent points, Jessica! this commenting on each others' work is surely helping us all - both when making and when receiving comments. I noticed the shape of the road was better too! It's weird how one doesn't have such a clear view of on's paintings as of other people's - until you've left them for a while - I wonder what the pyschological explanation for that is? Anyway, thanks to you!

Comment by Jessica Futerman on November 1, 2013 at 20:08

Was just looking at your 3 posted versions of this - I think you have the shape of the pathway/road much better in this one but the values make everything "pop" more in the first version.  I think Manneherrin's suggestions are excellent!  Some light on the castle & the path leading up to it will really make it your focal point.  About the background hills, I think the blue hills could be toned down a little & maybe change the shape so it's not a straight line?  Maybe make it more like the distant line of hills on the other side of the castle?  It's a beautiful painting & wonderful composition!  Keep at it!

Comment by Manneherrin on November 1, 2013 at 17:15

Oh ok sorry..gradually increase the saturation of the colors , the least saturation being in the background to the most saturation in the foreground. 

Comment by Jon Main on November 1, 2013 at 11:33

Thanks Manneherrin - that's a very very interesting comment - I'll try it! - what do you mean when you say "The way you can play up a focal part is start with the background and go very gingerly saturate until you get to the entrance of the painting"?!

Sharon - you make it sound better than it is :) (ta) !

Comment by Sharon Repple on November 1, 2013 at 11:21

A very inviting painting, the viewer can easily move into this delightful scene

Comment by Manneherrin on November 1, 2013 at 11:19

What I would do is nail down where the lightsource is coming from then create a focal point for each ground instead of a single one. For instance I would create a reflection of the sunset on one wall for the back ground then play up the entrance to the little town in the middle ground then, play up where we are standing on the road to make us feel like we are inside the painting. The way you can play up a focal part is start with the background and go very gingerly saturate until you get to the entrance of the painting.. that will give more depth. If there is the same saturation throughout the painting it will have a 2d effect instead of 3d..But these are only my opinions.. I truly love this composition and hope this helps