Redrocks Canyon

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Comment by Pauline Le Merle on September 6, 2013 at 6:56

Thank you Bodizar, i appreciate you commenting on this painting .  it gave me so many problems back in workshop 9  when i was very new to this site.  

Comment by Božidar Zvekan on September 5, 2013 at 6:16

This painting compared to other similar images to me is the most beautiful.

Includes a range of colors and keeps the lightness and transparency of Impressionism.

Comment by Ann Turner on May 27, 2012 at 18:35

I like your color pallet. The purple shadows add a feeling of drama. Exciting composition. Try some of the advice that Patricia gave below and repost, I would be very interested to see the difference. Great Job !

Comment by Patricia Genever on May 27, 2012 at 13:24

Hi Pauline,

I can totally relate to what you are saying about just diving in and learning as you go. I have done that several times also.  It's fun. However, working in watercolour you need a bit more planning.

I only noticed your focal areas in the second viewing.  It was only after the third viewing that I did the value check. There is only a tiny adjustment that if you care to make it, will greatly improve your focal area.  So I wasn't joking when I said that your painting is excellent.  This is indeed a masterpiece..!!

Your main focal area is the tiny sweet looking stone with the yellow and white spot on top.  It's so cute I just love it.... The value of the sweet rock is a value 10 and underneath the same rock is a value 4.5.
The secondary focal area is in the bottom left hand corner.  However, the darkest value is the shadow of the green bush which is a value 1 and the white rock  closest to it is a value 10. So now we know what has to be adjusted...

Here are you a few suggestions to consider.

1. The green bush just left of the sweet stone has a dark value.  Continue using that same value along the back of those  tiny flowers that are in front of the magenta rock.  All it needs is tiny organic shapes... :))
2. Use the same value if you like, and paint a couple of tiny organic shapes underneath those tiny flowers too.

3. Now that you have organically led your shapes to the sweet stone.  Paint a couple of dark shapes along the top left hand side of the sweet stone.
4. Keep the value that you have used under the rock if you like, and paint a thin line directly under the sweet stone to make it pop even more. Or you may paint that whole area darker, however, having a value change is also pleasing for the eye.  The thin line may just do the trick.
5. The tiny rocks in the focal area also need some attention.  You could give them little shadows and use the same dark magenta you used in the bottom left hand corner to vary your darks.
6. It would be nice but not absolutely necessary to link up your dark shadows. Linking up your dark magenta in the bottom left hand corner and meandering it through the shrubs and meeting up with the little rocks in the sweet spot area..
7.If you choose to make these adjustments, you may also consider darkening the whiter rocks in the secondary focal area. 

So you see you were just so very, very close to painting a theoretically perfect painting in my opinion.  Only a very tiny adjustment was needed.  Well done!!

About those trees I have painted.  I live amongst the gum trees and I take walks behind our house.  I make sketches of shapes and then I come home and arrange them on a piece of paper.    I don’t like the dull colour of the gum leaves and trees, so I paint them whatever colour I choose. 

I have just finished a painting of a castle which I am going to upload to this site in a couple of minutes.  Please feel free to critique if you choose. 

 

Comment by Patricia Genever on May 26, 2012 at 8:52

Hi Pauline, yes indeed you do understand the principle of the finding your focal point on a blank piece of paper. 

The reason I ask this question, is to point out something in your painting and ask you some questions about it, if you don't mind please.

Your focal point should also have the lightest light and the darkest dark, right?

However, in your painting there appears to be two focal points competing for attention.  It took me awhile to actually notice it.  It was only by observing what my eyes were doing, that I began to see it. 

It is of course ok, to have 2 focal points, but I am not sure how to technically do it.  Maybe you could give me some tips or point me in the right direction..

So my first question is did you intentionally set out to have two focal areas or did this just happen unintentionally? My second question is did you intentionally use the other area as a strong point to lead the eye into the painting, or is it just me seeing it as 2 focal areas, one as a primary and the other secondary?

I have intentionally not pointed out these two areas, because I would like to see it from your perspective also. :))

Comment by Debby Badder on May 25, 2012 at 14:59

Nice coloring, composition and brushwork!  :) 

 

Comment by Patricia Genever on May 25, 2012 at 10:12

No the values are not too dark at all.  It just makes the light areas pop out.  Your eye also moves beautifully over the painting.  I know you understand the principle of notan and overall it feels really great.  It has the feeling of pure joy and there is a lot of playfulness in it.   You also varied your dark values and also your light ones too.  You greens are varied as well as well the other colours.  Your rocks in the lower left hand side are magnificent too.  Overall it is very good.  Trust me I wouldn't say it if I didn't think it.    Just one thing though do you know where to find your center of interest on a blank piece of paper?

Comment by Patricia Genever on May 24, 2012 at 17:46

This is excellent I love it...There is a playful use of colors and lots of changing values. Simply beautiful... Well done...!!

Comment by Sandra kelly on May 24, 2012 at 17:32

Nice painting i especially like the colours you have used