Critics Corner

[Andestine]

I thought it might be nice to start a thread to provide some ongoing space just for constructive criticism of wildlife art. No matter if you’re a beginner or a professional artist there are times when you know something is wrong, but can’t put your finger on it (even after all the old tricks with mirrors and putting it away for a while etc ).

Someone with a good eye is needed then, and anyone can join in because you don’t have to be an artist to work out what’s wrong (my ex was the best critic I ever knew, and he was a musician who couldn’t draw at all ).

So if you have any old works that never seemed to work gathering dust, or if you’re stuck with something at an early stage, why not post it here and let the collective spot what's wrong

I know it’s scary but I’m willing to start. I can’t really paint, but I love watercolours, and this one almost worked. It’s one of my favourite places. The day was warm and mist turned to gentle rain (Pauline, don't you dare mention the light - you know how much I dislike the sun ).

I got the drawing down onto Arches 140 lb watercolour paper on the spot, added colour notes and took a few pictures for reference, to finish back at home, though I didn’t need to use them much.

I think I got the feel of the day, but I was never happy with it (ex had it framed which made things worse ). There’s something very wrong with the rivulets going down to the sea, and the headland on the left seems too dark.

Can anyone help me work out what went wrong? All comments and criticisms most welcome. I love to learn by my mistakes




Cheers,

Andestine

[Andestine]

....and the end of the pier is wonky - just noticed that too

xxx

[loripo]

I think it's perfect (she says wistfully). The rivulets lie exactly right as far as I can see, and I love the 'distance' of the far horizon. I think oils are a doddle compared to watercolour, you can scarpe off bits and start again. And the sea wall might be wonky in reality

[Andestine]

Lori my Sweet,

You're being far too soft on me, and even giving me excuses to use for the wonky bits But I'm afraid I'm a scarily honest gal who walked that pier again not two days ago - setting oystercatchers flying - and it wasn't *that* wonky

I suggest you look up the word 'Criticism' in the dictionary and then come back again for another go You obviously just weren't born with that nitpicker gene, but I'll always run to you for praise

And now I'm running back into the real world, I think my paneer is boiling over

Andestine

P.S. I've tried and I've tried but the easy changeability of oils is offset by the smell for me. Even the odourless solvents make me suffocate, and that's with all the windows open Even watersoluble oils give me problems. And anyway, watercolours are about the only genteel thing I do

[loripo]

Okayeee - criticism then. It's not big enough

[davecatt]

Hi Andestine
This is my first try at uploading an image, hope it works.

Sorry for the rough crop, but I hope it will illustrate my point.

Ithink the combination of too much empty sea to the right of the picture + the pier end pointing to the left throws the perspective out of kilter and draws the eye away from the natural vanishing point.

Abit of carefull cropping and a little more sky may help. Experiment with the original by holding a couple of straight edges over the picture and adjust till you find something that works.
And yes it is a very good effort, just remember we are always our own worst critic.

Dave

[sunnydale]

Hi Andestine

I heard somewhere that water is one of the most difficult things to paint, especially if it's 'moving'.

I admire anyone who can get water to look like water......and your sea looks like a sea to me!

[Martin Wilson]

Hi ya Andestine.
Hard to do as I am my best critic not others, as Dave pointed to the sea...maybe in a little way he has a point. but that in my opinion is not it. To me it is the Left hand side of the jetty a little to small and the way it bends up to the back of the larger jetty does not feel right...it seems to be too far back to be part of it or the larger part of the jetty too big in comparison. The rivulets seem to be OK ....if being totally critical the only one that does not sit right is the top one. As for the headland to me perfect sits in well, I like the way you have merged the hills and headway together.
And on the bottom of a headway like that seaweed is going to be a prominent feature and will show as a dark stain even with a camera.
Like it alot...

Ps
Well done for the thread and a good point raised, we all should be able to stand good criticism and if it is done correctly no one should feel offended by it.
We should hopefully benefit from it.
But I do like the picture and as has been said it would be nicer to have seen it larger ...just because I would like to have seen the detail and structure of the picture more.

Martin

[tcvarlh]

Well Nestis my friend, You have asked and I will respond. First let me state I 'know' nothing about art, as you have implied it has to do with instinct. So with that in mind, here goes nothing...
I only have one real problem with the picture : the lower right corner has two boulders that interfere with my view, taking a straight edge from the inside rock where it joins the beach directly up and cropping that section roughly as davecatt has done brings my eye back to the centre again. The 'wonky' Mole is fine, I like 'wonky'! And davecatt has hit the nail on the head with a touch more 'Up', more sky.

Nestis, you are asking a fella who simply adores the Pre-Raphaelites and sort of stops at that point to act as a critic!


Any artwork I do is always an imaginary rolling landscape with a small cottage/building in the middle distance, performed in HB pencil using hatching and shading. To tell the truth, very primitive and 2nd year senior school stuff. I like it but that's it!
h

[Andestine]

Originally Posted by loripo

Okayeee - criticism then. It's not big enough

Off to bed without your supper, child!

It made me burst out laughing when I read that - you found any good 'laughing' smilies yet?

Affectionately,

Andestine