Hi...Ive been trying a new style with pastelsI used to rub into the paper to make it really soft . I've been experimenting with qyuick strokes and layering. In the past I did alot of technical tight work and trying to get a loose and free feel is my goal. This is a great place to see other work and I hope i will get to atlk with people here with my shared interest.

   I just finished this lighthouse this morning....I think I'm done. Any comments I would love to hear !!! thanks lynne

Hi Lynne, 

I like the strokes.  I tend to work in layers and I like the look of the strokes on top of one another.  I am a little confused as to what the white shapes are...their contrast to the other hues and values makes it seem that they are unfinished.  The grass is very well executed. The sky I think could be lighter unless you intended a gray day. The hue of the top part of the lighthouse is the same as the lower body....that rarely happens in nature and so the lighthouse doesn't ring real to me.  Unless it was a gray day (and even if it was, I would make it brighter for more interest), I think you have watered down the value differences...the painting would be much more dramatic if there was more contrast.  Hope these comments help.  Keep on painting ...don't put those pastels away again!

Barbara

Hi Barbara!!Thank you so much for your comments.It's really hard tochallenge yourself with a new style.I actually did some reworking....and I will do alittle more now.

  This was very challenging.the original photo i took was sunset and everything was bright blue and orange. I did most of the underpainting in fiery shades of red and orange,even under the sky

 The white area is a backside of a building and I was having alot of problems with because it was so different and its in the shadow.

   Im taking alot of creative license with the colors too. i want it to be even bolder....maybe go more in extreme?

 i like everything you said and suggested. Its very hard to give good critique and also to be able to apply it. thanks for your help and Il repost the changes.thanks!!!!lynne

Hi Lynne, 

I agree ...punch up the color and definitely punch up the value differences...if the values ring true, you can use any color.  Take your artist's license on the white and make it dark if that was the shadow side.  This is not a photograph!  Blue and ornage are complimentary so they make a great composition.  If you want to try to keep the white...do it in a light or even medium cool blue.  And really work at making the dark side of the lighthouse a little cooler and definitely darker (maybe a blue too?).  Try shading the sky too...even if it is blue...shade it to yellow or orange..at sunset I would expect it to be warm.  Try to spread your two complimentary colors around ...touches of blue in teh oranges and touches of orange in the blue.  I think this could be a very dramatic piece.  Have fun! 

I'm glad you did so well with the hazy meadow ...it is a great sketch.  Can't wait to see the bigger version.

Barbara