The Kiwi Christmas Tree

Acrylic on canvas panel. 12 X 16 in.

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Albums: Workshop 4

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Comment by Sharon Casavant on December 28, 2011 at 2:52: WOW! This is one of my favorites! I agree with Richard, he really knows how to look at a painting. You need more shadows - unless the sun is straight overhead! Also, more color reflections in the water. But I like how the rocks and curves lead you into the painting. But see how the water looks cold even though it is nice and warm out?

Comment by Bob Mitchener on December 25, 2011 at 12:39: Thanks Richard, I have just logged in and read your critique. All very encouraging. I take your point re the dark masses, I had not really thought of shadows as unifying masses so a good piece of instruction there, thank you.

Comment by Richard Robinson on December 23, 2011 at 11:53: Hi Bob thanks for your lovely painting, here are some thoughts:

Design

Really nice design here Bob - I love the lead in you’ve created with the large rocks, the positioning of the sun and even the curving wave echoing the other major movements. Couple of minor things I would personally have changed would be the tree kissing the top of the painting and the flax plant cut in half at the right edge. I like to make sure major elements are purposefully in or out of the picture edge - not kissing it which draws the eye to the edge of the painting. You’ve achieved a nice balance with plenty of movement which is the main thing with this scene.

Colour

The high key approach you’ve taken here has added to the sense of peace which is enhanced by the glowing light effect you've added into the sky and tree. Although you’ve pushed the colour in some areas you’ve managed to balance those with large areas of grays so the painting hasn’t become gaudy, so good work there too. In the water you’ve achieved a good subtle colour gradation towards the sky but it seems there’s a little colour information missing in the foreground water that would account for reflections of the cliffs and transparency through to the sand beneath the shallows. Missing those small colour hints results in the water looking a little plastic. On the whole it’s very pleasing colour work.

Brushwork

Your brushwork is strong and deliberate which is a pleasure to see with a rich variety of marks and textures. I particularly like your use of dry brush and will make a note to explore that more in my own work.

Realism

You've really made this scene your own and it's clear you've been painting for a good long time and have developed techniques and symbols for dealing with different subjects. There are only a couple of things really hindering the realism here that I can see and those are the somewhat symbolic drawing of the tree and the lack of a strong shadow concept. By that I mean that yes you have creating a clear position for the sun but it’s not backed up consistently by the placement of your shadows. For instance there should be a deep shadow area under the tree and also a shadow cast upon the water. Some of the rock groupings seem to be too a light for their position, so you’ve achieved a high key painting by doing that and an interesting surface but sacrificed a powerful sense of solidity. Concentrating more on your shadow areas will also help unite your masses and strengthen your overall notan design (dark/light design) which is currently a bit fragmented. On the whole it’s a great painting though and I hope my comments have been more helpful than critical.

Comment by Bob Mitchener on December 18, 2011 at 15:06: Yes Denise, I see what you mean about the bright yellow grass. I was trying to get an effect of strong light. Colour is not my strong point so I totally get what you are saying. Thanks Denise, I had not really picked that up before, good spotting.

Comment by Denise Maxwell on December 16, 2011 at 19:58: Very nice, really good movement here and the rock shapes are well formed. If I may make a suggestion about the bright grasses under the tree. This color doesn't look real as there are no other shadows to indicate your light source and they seem too bright. I think the hue of green/yellow might work better with a darker shade. I see that you're trying for glowing edges of light but it maybe too much. I like what you have done with the tree and I think that is the focal point so the grasses underneath could be subdued considerably.