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Macavity wrote:I don't know if it helps any JJ, but the photo offers a depth by implying a path. Perhaps the trunks could have more leafy/snowy dressing?
best
mac
Very helpful critique. Much appreciated.Pauline wrote:Hey JJ.
Great effort.
My first concern is your blue is too strong.
The photo offers a more subtle blue/grey.
Your trees are great and I love your snow.
Very realistic.
Shadows are spot on.
Moving up to the branches....
Hate saying this but it looks like Edward scissor hand has slashed this with a palate knife loaded with white paint.
It comes across very manic. ...It is as you say. A lot of knife work, although not quite manic.
Which would look fabulous if that was the look you were going for.
However, I don't think that your intention. ...Nope, it was not. I originally thought about adding some lighter tones once the paint had dried. IE Lots of tiny highlights to brighten the scene. BUT, I have my light source from the other side, so deciding just how light my highlights should be is tricky. I'm going to work from greyish blue on the outside to very light yellow near the light source, maybe pale blue. Hopefully that should soften it some.
I can offer no advice here as I am currently working on a very similar painting.
I have the trees and ground work and am about to embark on the snowy blustery stuff
and I don't have a clue as to how to do it.
I'm thinking Pollock. ...I thinned the oil paint down to a not quite ink consistency, loaded a small bristle brush then tapped it on the back of another brush over the painting, like a drummer with two sticks. The consistency is everything. I then removed the unwanted tiny spray droplets with a small liner, leaving a selection of droplets behind. The darker droplets had to be placed more carefully so I dabbed them in with spot touches. If you want windswept snow the same technique works well if you tap from an angle at the side, sending the droplets across the face of the painting. Make sure it splats with the wind and not against.
If you could soften the top half....
Hi JJ.
Yes, it does. Looks like the trees are balancing on the edge of a bottomless chasmJJWilliamson wrote:I think the first shaded line looks like a ditch rather than a shadow.
Sounds greatJJWilliamson wrote:I'm going to work from greyish blue on the outside to very light yellow near the light source, maybe pale blue. Hopefully that should soften it some.
JJWilliamson wrote:.I thinned the oil paint down to a not quite ink consistency, loaded a small bristle brush then tapped it on the back of another brush over the painting, like a drummer with two sticks. The consistency is everything. I then removed the unwanted tiny spray droplets with a small liner, leaving a selection of droplets behind. The darker droplets had to be placed more carefully so I dabbed them in with spot touches. If you want windswept snow the same technique works well if you tap from an angle at the side, sending the droplets across the face of the painting. Make sure it splats with the wind and not against.
Thanks for the tips. I'll try that. 
Thing is, I'm painting in acrylic. Hopefully I should get the same results.JJWilliamson wrote:If you could soften the top half.... ...I will, I will. Promise!
So pleased you took my crit in the manner it was delivered. BestPauline wrote:Yes, it does. Looks like the trees are balancing on the edge of a bottomless chasmJJWilliamson wrote:I think the first shaded line looks like a ditch rather than a shadow.
Doesn't that just piss you off.
You don't see it when you're painting it. It's only when you step away and and look it over with a critical eye you spot it and you think "Shit"! ...Yes!
FFS!
At least we learn from itSounds greatJJWilliamson wrote:I'm going to work from greyish blue on the outside to very light yellow near the light source, maybe pale blue. Hopefully that should soften it some.JJWilliamson wrote:.I thinned the oil paint down to a not quite ink consistency, loaded a small bristle brush then tapped it on the back of another brush over the painting, like a drummer with two sticks. The consistency is everything. I then removed the unwanted tiny spray droplets with a small liner, leaving a selection of droplets behind. The darker droplets had to be placed more carefully so I dabbed them in with spot touches. If you want windswept snow the same technique works well if you tap from an angle at the side, sending the droplets across the face of the painting. Make sure it splats with the wind and not against.
I've never used oils. I have them but I love the fact acrylic dries quickly. Oils take so much longer to dry don't they, and I am rather impatient.
Also,I love texture, and many of my paintings have layers thicker than a wrestlers neck. Will I get the same results with oils ? ...Yes, you can although they do take a long time to dry, AND, you need at least student grade oil paints or the results will be too runny and sticky. I know, I've ruined loads of stuff with cheaper paints. Some of the cheap oils work well enough for tinting, especially the reds. I don't go for expensive oil paints, using "Daler and Rowney Georgian" and some "Pebeo". I'm trying Pebeo after having had a chat with the art guys in the art shop. I've only tried the Pebeo titanium white and ivory black so far, so the jury's still out.
JJWilliamson wrote:If you could soften the top half.... ...I will, I will. Promise!
I welcome constructive criticism. I learn from it.
Pauline wrote:Whoah!!!
Is this the same painting ???
Toning down the blue, shifting the light source and moving the grove has given this a completely different vibe JJ.
You've changed the trees and softened the whole viewpoint.
I love it.
Great revision JJ.
