NZ Beach

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Comment by Richard Robinson on December 23, 2011 at 15:12

Hi Catherine, thanks for your painting. Here are some thoughts:

Design

I like how you have simplified this scene Catherine and made a somewhat symbolic or iconic artwork. The path to the beach is a bold addition which gives the painting some narrative. The top of the cliff on the right was somewhat problematic in the photo but you have solved that nicely with a tree which also helps to balance the main tree. I think that a shadow across the foreground would have helped to unite the two patches of foreground grass and also would have helped to shape and lend perspective to the somewhat flat path.

Colour

As with the drawing, you have simplified the colour which gives it a sort of naive charm but  also reduces the amount of time it might hold a viewer’s interest. If you do wish to begin adding more colour into your work you’ll need to spend more time analysing the subtle colour differences found in every object and the way light is reflected from one object to another. There is not one speck of the universe which displays flat colour so let that be your guide.

Brushwork

Part of your trend to simplify has been to remove evidence of brushstrokes which again removes interest from an artwork unless other factors like detail or colour step in to take its place. What does hold my interest is the detail you’ve put into the tiny rocks and pebbles in the pathway which is really a delight for the eye.

Realism

There is no strong sense of light direction here - something that can be remedied with cast shadows, and again the simplified forms lead this piece away from realism, but perhaps that’s not your goal. It really reminds me of Giotto’s fresco work if you care to google his name. Sometimes by simplifying objects we make them grander - they become symbols of themselves.