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My latest painting , oil on a panel 30cm x 40cm

Thanks, @CBG. You've cottoned onto my little secret. Your right, I don't just paint what I see first off. It would be impossible unless I were a digital printer.  So, I know there has to be a base colour on which to add detail. So, for example, the stack of rocks on the left has lots of flecks of orange, white and green (lichens) and the rocks themselves are a rusty pink but beneath these there is a mid-tone violet. I paint that mid-tone first (often I'll stain the whole canvas that colour) and then put the detail on top. I like the way all the little dabs and dashes of more vibrant colour create a sort of visual vibration on top of the violet base. I still colour check as per Mark's instructions. The lichens occur across the painting and are shades of green, orange and white and I mix these, the pink of the rocks, and the violet beneath these, before I start.  My method is calculated and not very spontaneous and I'm sure the highfalutin art critics would dis me for it but I don't know how else to get the effect I want in these large paintings. When I do smaller paintings I am much more direct. 

Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful comments. 

Hi all!  It's been a while since I posted.  I decided to try painting something in an hour and threw what was left of a bunch of bananas onto my informal light setup and used just four colors (white, burnt umber, yellow, and cobalt blue) and did this study.  This was done on acrylic primed watercolor paper.  There was no pencil sketch beforehand and I just dove right in with paint.  The only formal art training that I have has taught me how to paint with very tight brush strokes.  This exercise was an attempt to learn how to loosen up, using a larger brush and limited time and palette. I plan on doing more of these exercises/studies.  Enjoyed using thicker paint than usual and being able to push it around and also some texture in places that was left behind.  Comments always welcome.


 

A few years ago I went to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see friends. After spending some time looking around the beautiful town we went to the river where there are some gorgeous views. From where I was looking from the park in front of the river Avon there is a small island with a large tree situated on it next to the one of the bridges. At this particular time the water level was very high so the island had been submerged so the tree appeared to be growing out of the water, which looked amazing.

In was also early evening and there was a lovely golden light on the tree, river and buildings. I only had my old camera phone but I managed to take a photo to turn into this acrylic painting.

This is using my new acrylic paint mixes (see my blog), which had very good opacity. Trying a few different techniques with this one to get better with acrylics. I think I'm getting better

Hi Everyone! I'm still working on this painting of a pirate. I'm struggling a bit with the shadow across his face, especially on his forehead. I think it should look a little darker and greener but am worried that that it will make him look very strange and perhaps I'll? Do you think the shadow is ok as is? I still have quite a bit to work to do, especially with his hair but, wanted to post to hear any feedback at this stage. Tia! 

This is an 9X12 inch oil study of mid day light with two trees. In terms of composition do I need to add any dramatic element in this?

Oil on canvas
15x15 cm
Advice and critique welcomed