Together on a beautiful day

I was asked to paint this for a friend from her photo - I think it's done, but I'd really appreciate any comments/critiques before I give it to her.

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Comment by Stuart J. Gourlay on December 11, 2014 at 5:05: Jessica, this came out very nicely and is just a terrific painting. The changes that you have made have really improved the atmospheric perspective and this adds a "dreaminess" and sense of mystery to the painting. I am sure that your friend will always treasure this painting. Stu

Comment by Jessica Futerman on December 11, 2014 at 4:47: This is the final version - thanks to all who made suggestions on improvements - they were very helpful & I made some changes in the lake & hillside. My friend just came to get the painting today & she was really delighted! This isn't the best photo, but it shows the changes.

Comment by Jessica Futerman on December 7, 2014 at 2:17: Ann, thank you for your lovely poetic comments - I agree with Ningning! Olivia & Linda & Faisal - thanks a lot for your comments & suggestions about the water. I will grey it down for sure. About the shape of the lake, I see what everyone means & will think about that one, because I think I'd like to keep it this way, even though it's a bit unnatural-looking - I think my friend would like it to look like it does in reality. When I adjusted the photo & cropped off the background excess, I also cropped a bit of the left side off - in the painting, the edge of the lake doesn't come quite so close to the edge of the canvas.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to give me your ideas!

Comment by Faisal Tariq on December 6, 2014 at 15:26: Everything is perfect. The water is a little too blue. but nice… :)

Comment by Ningning Li on December 6, 2014 at 13:35: Ann always provides very keen observation and thoughtful idea. Reading her comments is joyful and educational. Thank you Ann.

Comment by Linda McNeill on December 6, 2014 at 9:16: Lovely, Jessica. I agree with Olivia, the shape of the water and the hillside
On the right jars slightly.

Comment by Olivia O'Carra on December 6, 2014 at 7:45: Gorgeous Jessica.You have done a wonderful job i love those figures and the foreground.Your friend will love it.

if you are going to have a go at the water i would definitely grey it and perhaps make it a bit less rounded Straighten the far shore a bit and let it go off the edge on the left rather than its edge touching the side.

Comment by Ann Turner on December 6, 2014 at 5:23: The figures are superb ! The color and texture of the foreground grass adds to setting the people back just a little. The soft background and sky help us feel the dream of the couple. Beautiful painting.

Comment by Jessica Futerman on December 5, 2014 at 20:42: Thank you so much everyone (Stu, Howard, Ningning, Silvana, Laura, Jon, Michael, Ian, Karlo, Cristina) for your wonderful & kind responses to my request for comments & critiques! It's really great & so helpful to have painting friends to give their opinions & advice; I always appreciate it & your encouragement. I see what you mean about the saturation level of the water, Michael - yes, I will definitely tone it down - I think I just didn't think of applying the rules of atmospheric perspective to the water as I was too busy putting sky tones into it! About the shape of the water & the hard edges - I think it's looking unnatural to you all, which it is, because what you can't know unless you know this place, is that the water is part of a Roman spring/aqueduct system & it is surrounded by a beautiful border of stone.