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Merlin111 β Decision at the Lake
Published: 2009-02-13 22:41:43 +0000 UTC; Views: 1670; Favourites: 45; Downloads: 35
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Description
Even when things are grim and hope distant, some decisions are harder than others.Oil on stretched canvas - 40 x 30 inches or 102 x 76cm.
Photo reference is the superb stock image from Rammkitty-stock [link]
Been working on this off and on for the last 6 months, hope you like.
I like the way the log turned out, will be using that techniques again. Painting the water turned out remarkably easy but the foliage caused a few headaches. I had to tint it several different colours before I was satisfied.
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Comments: 39
Very beautiful scene , quiet in a nice nature !
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Wow, you are really good when it comes to painting different textures: the fabric, the water, the leaves, and of course, the wonderful wooden surface of the log. I like the calm feeling that the whole picture has got, and combined with the expression on the woman's face, it makes it obvious that she has a lot on her mind.
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Thank you. I love creating and contrasting textures. I remember had a lot of difficulty with this work but paining the log was an absolute pleasure.
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Wow, Thank you very much
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I love the detail in the dress and bark on the tree...very nice indeed!
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The bark was my favourite part of the painting as well.
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Beautiful work! You managed to create the atmosphere of a warm sunny day so well and love how you painted the foliage
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Thank you and for the 
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Overall, a very well done and composed, and the details of the fallen tree and the dress are well represented. That said, I do have some constructive criticism that I wish to impart. I do so, not to be derogatory, but to help you grow as a painter. As an artist, that is what I wish, for generic kudos or "I don't like this . . ." statements don't help us grow and improve.
Primarily, the shadows are consistent between the log and her dress. But the shadows on her face and arms are too weak in comparison which makes the dress seem very dimensional, but her body look visually flat. And honestly, judging value on a figurative subject is difficult, I applaud you for attacking it within the context of such a complex composition. And also watch your reflections. Water is a reflective surface. That is one of the problems with working from photos reflections and shadows are often distorted and hard to read.
My other criticism lies more in the realm of personal preferrence. I think this piece would be more striking and dramatic if there was more depth in the atmospheric perspective. What I mean by that is there could be some darker darks in the trees immediately behind the form, and the could be less detailed and more neutral so they appear more distant. Also look for places where you can juxtapose lost and found edges. Collectively, this would give the picture plane more depth and have more visual space. This in turn will make the model a stronger centerpiece of the painting.
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Thank you so much for your comments. Constructive criticism is always appreciated.
All your comments are very valid. Regarding the shadows on the skin I remember having huge difficult with this at the time and it is probably a weakness with a lot of my figurative work.
But I can only get better and advice from more experienced artists helps
Thank you again.
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My figurative experience is limited, but I have had some great advice from those much much more capable than I. If you are interested check out the following links. I always appreciated good criticism, but seldom get it online, even if I ask. And sometimes I am wary to give any for fear that it will be taken wrongly. But your painting has some obvious strong points that I thought the risk was deserved.
[link]
[link]
[link] Art by Pauline Adair, an online acquaintence and an excellent painter.
Andrew
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Thanks for taking the time to advise.
These artists look very talented, I will spend some time at their sites.
best regards Allen
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I love the details in this. Especially the folds of her dress - beautiful!
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Thank you. The dress did cause some frustration so I am pleased how it turned out.
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Thank you. Glad you liked it.
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ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank You for sharing it... Happy Valentines Day!!!
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Thank you and for the
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Very nice, Allen! The log and the trees right behing her is beautifully done. Really great details. The setting and the pose is perfect. A very nice painting indeed!
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Thank you very much Brian and for the
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this is beautiful, i love seeing a good old fashioned painting! i love that you made the background just nature, as opposed to my original that had houses in the back. i'd rather pretend i was really out there isolated in the middle of nowhere :]
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Thanks I am glad you like it. The original looks much better than this photo, photography is certainly not my forte. And thanks for the
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...well,isn't this a coincidence...I just had a thought for you(lol)...Wow,this is absolutely amazing and stunning,Allen.Wonderful,meticulous work,as in habit.Great meaning,what you wanted to express here,indeed.The lady has the perfect expression,for "this reflection"of making her decisions,as you precised in your comment.Superb lightening and shadows.Wonderful her hands,that is always such a difficult part to paint or draw(to my opinion).All the different "textures,of the tree,she is sitting,the wood arround,the water,her dress...really incredible.Even the sky behind is perfectly done.
Very soft and tender choice of colours.
Ihope,the lady,could find good resolutions,to make her decisions.She seems to have serenity,but,there is some sadness on her face.The fact ,that she is wearing white clothes,means to me,that she is "pure".the water arround her is "troubled".The trees arround with their green leaves,gicing strenght and hope.The sky is cloudy.Still some "winds"to wait,to "clear up"the sky.
well,sorry,for my "personal analyze"(lol)You know,how much I love to do this,by now...
It really is another masterpiece of yours,"speaking"a lot to me(as you surely have noticed)...
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A coincidence indeed, I must have been submitting the deviation as you sent your note. 
I always look forward to you analysis. Although I do love to use bold colours I consciously did try to tone them down and I think you are pretty much right about everything. The white dress is a reason I took so long to finish the painting, I was working on my blonde angel picture at the same time and I found it too much to paint white clothing again. I find it quite challenging.
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... ...I am adoring,admiring your paintings Allen.As I said,they are special,and do have a "soal".
I can imagine,what a "torture"you had,with the white dress.There are existing so many nuances of white,and all the shadows of each pleat,that is some work...You are seeming to like challenges ,and suceeding so very well.Myself like to search in my subconscience,I suppose,"difficulty".The more difficult it is,the more my "adrenaline"is present,(lol)and the more it is ,actually,pleasing,or inspiring me...(my hidden ,"tortured" mind and soal,maybe,who knows)...
However,I am a big fan of your works,and could talk for hours to discuss about them,it is so fascinating^^(lol)...
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The harder the challenge the more rewarding the results 
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...I agree with every word you say...and I think,this is the only way to evolute,the final result is,"to have done the best we could,and always try to do better"...
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