Boat and Rowans

[BrentW]

This week's most satisfying painting. The sky in the photograph provided in my Goldster class had a clear blue sky. Such skies do not enthral me. So, I worked the sky with a liquid graphite paint, and likewise for the reflections in the lake. I hope you enjoy it.

[Jennymary]

That's beautiful, can picture myself sitting there looking at the gorgeous scenery, quick question, do you ever put any of pictures in an art exhibition, if you don't i think you should, every picture I've seen of yours is so beautiful

[BrentW in reply to Jennymary]

Just this week I have a visited a painting of mine on show in an exhibition. By the way, why do I look so tired? The continuing self isolation is not going well with me, with many nights with poor sleep.

An artist with his painting.

[sassy59]

I really like that Brent and agree with Jennymary, you should exhibit your art if you don’t already. Very tranquil setting. X

[Hidden]

That's so effective BrentW! I do love a moody sky, in nature or in art and I'm sure yours made for a much more interesting subject than a clear blue sky. There's enough of a pop of colour from your boat to draw the eye in. It's lovely.

[BrentW in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, Callendersgal. I would agree but . . . . whenever I try adding something manmade to a painting, be it a house, car or boat, it looks like a child has drawn it. I feel that is the case here. Sob.

[Hidden in reply to BrentW]

Lol, well practice makes perfect BrentW and that's half the fun of art. Have you tried just doing some boats or the things you find particularly difficult, so that you are forced to concentrate on those and not the scenery?

[BrentW in reply to Hidden]

Wa-ah! What fresh kind of Hell are you suggesting, CG?

[Hidden in reply to BrentW]

Hahaha.....

[BrentW in reply to Hidden]

I managed this last week. It's not too wonky, ent?

A simple cottage.

[Hidden in reply to BrentW]

That's spot-on! Perfect perspective! 👍😇

[FredaE in reply to BrentW]

i still find it difficul to typye. very brief.

nice house but frightened like Victorian girl modelling in her drawrs.

mine is rough drwing to visualise how my new house will look with a tree and "she" does not give a damn. looser drawing helps yoou learn.

Ihope you do not have an eraser

house

[BrentW in reply to FredaE]

This is very instructive. Thank you, FredaE. I do tend to draw rather than sketch, and must learn to loosen up if I am to attain the free spirited look I crave.

[FredaE]

i do not like this one as much as th others as it has two focuses - trees which are lovely and the boat which is rather a distraction -hope you dont mind me saying

[BrentW in reply to FredaE]

That is just the kind of criticism I need, FredaE. I was trying for an inverted L shaped armature (eh?), placing the boat along one arm of the L. It does not work. I think the picture would work far better without it, and with much stronger contrast in values. I like the air holes in the trees (things for birds to fly through), but don't like the way the trunks and branches are visible throughout. When I do it again, I shall perhaps do the leaves in some opaque medium -- perhaps gouache or Inktense.

I hope this doesn't seem too technical. I am trying to improve not just by painting lots (actually I paint only a few hours each week), but by being critical of my own work when I have finished. That way I get to move forward while feeling that I am building my knowledge and skill.

[FredaE]

more thn happy to help but dont wanto discourage.you might have moved the boat nearer the tree su that your eye was drawn to the bothof them. it is interestsing to make a note of the way your eyes move. i found i was hopping from one t th other

[BrentW in reply to FredaE]

Thank you, FredaE. I shall give that a try!

[BrentW in reply to FredaE]

FredaE, I am reading right now a book by the artist Ian Roberts, "Creative Authenticity". He writes,

If we are going to create art for the rest of our lives, we need to come to terms with what is uniquely our own. If we sidestep ourselves and derive vocabulary from someone else, we may feel we are making great strides in the moment. but ultimately we cannot continue. We have to come back to address the matter of authenticity. Unless we do, it's like trying to use someone else's handwriting or personality. It cannot be sustained.

That, FredaE, is what I am trying to do -- to be authentic to myself. I am trying to paint pictures that show not only scenes, but also something of how I feel (in this case stormy skies, moody trees, a fragile boat). But sometimes I miss the mark -- as happened here, with the placement of the boat. So, thank you for your very constructive feedback.

Regarding painting, it is, as you imply, not simply a case of saying 'anything goes'; there are rules to authentic artistic expression. As Roberts says, Imagine turning up to your first violin lesson and being told "just play what you feel." It would be a disaster. So too in painting; it is a real learning experience. I am learning much about colour theory, armature, linear and aerial perspective, composition, brushwork. At the same time I am pushing into media that are newish to both me and the world -- in this case Liquid Graphite Paint -- as I seek to express my authentic self.

I hope, at the end of the day, to produce paintings to which people respond. Who knows, I might one day produce a painting that people pause to look at, to ponder, to feel. . . . .

[Zest]

Hi BrentW

Glad to have found you, as I enjoy seeing your paintings - this one is lovely.

Zest

[Hellebelle]

Beautiful and atmospheric. I think you are very talented.

[Hidden]

This is an other very beautiful painting Brent and I'm very sorry that you are not sleeping well. Thanks for sharing your exquisite art.

Jerry. 😊

[FredaE]

before i retired i was a pottery teacher & have a strong urge to teach anyone who does notrun away fast enough!.I am enjoying our conversations a lot

[BrentW in reply to FredaE]

I am too.