Monday 14 November 2011

A few final tweaks

Made a few little adjustments today. Altered shadow shapes, put in some extra darks, greyed some of smaller rocks and softened the base of the main stack. Just thought I'd post it to see if anyone thinks the changes make a difference.

South of Marsden - Oil on canvas board 20" x 16"

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Mick! Without seeing them both together it's hard (for me at least) to see subtle changes. I too am with Caroline's thoughts on this that at first glance of your blog it looked like a watercolour! So soft and moody. Something has changed in your work...... I really like the new direction.

Peter Ward said...

I think I prefer the original Mick - not sure though. Excellent in any event.

Unknown said...

Maggie - Thanks ever so much. Maybe the changes are more to do with the thinking I've been doing while I wasn't getting to paint very often. At the moment I'm managing to paint or draw most days.

Unknown said...

Peter - Thanks for the appreciation. Can you put your finger as to why you think you might prefer the original, it could be helpful?

Caroline Simmill said...

Gosh I spent ages gazing in between the two paintings trying to work out those subtle changes and then finally noticed you had written down on the post what you had done! I had noticed the softening effects on the rocks in the sea and even the big stac in the sea seems softer too. I think I preferred the crisper edges and deeper shadows on the left of the stac in the painting before. You are right to soften the painting as it is an oil painting, however as it has the appearance of a watercolour painting it could be that it needs crisp edges and detail even if it is subtle. Don't worry it looks really lovely as it is.

Unknown said...

Caroline - Thanks for your thoughtful comments. You highlight the never ending choices that we artists have to make. In reality we never finish any painting and it's a matter of the moment we decide to let go. Thanks for your encouragement.

Peter Ward said...

I think the original is more subtle Mick and yet the contrast is still sufficient. I prefer the colours on the right hand side. I don't think it needed to be darkened any further. Just my opinion.

Unknown said...

Peter - Thanks for that. I was trying to get a balance between the value range in the stack and the range in the cliff. I had all sorts of agony about it and like yourself I found real positives in the first one. There isn't just one answer is there?