Complete - “After the Storm”, 24”x36”, oil on linen

HondoRW

Followed some good advice from y’all and set it aside for a while. As you can see I changed it up quite a bit. It looks a little unfinished but thinking about stopping here. I’d just like to hear what others think. Should I articulate some more areas? Leave it as is? Change something?









I was working this one and just decided maybe I should stop here and leave it more abstract. I would appreciate any comments pos or neg. Thanks for taking the time. 

After posting, as usual I see some things I need to touch up. But let me know if you think something (or the whole thing) doesn’t work. Thanks again. 

tassieguy

I love the light on the trees and streak of light beneath them that stretches across the painting. The distant blue mountains are wonderful. This reminds me very much of pastoral areas in Australia. I know landscapes like this.

The one thing I would work further on is the clouds. I hate blending but this is one of the rare occasions where it could be considered. Those dark lines separating the billows of the clouds need to be softened. You could do this either by blending or by mixing and laying in intermediate values which, since this is quite a large painting, would be possible. Fix the clouds and you'll make this very good painting a fabulous painting. 

HondoRW

Thanks @tassieguy. I agree with you about the clouds. One thing about posting here, at least with my stuff, is that the flaws really show up when I post something. In fact, I was so disgusted with the way this looked I wanted to delete the whole post but apparently you can’t do that without permission. So it’s a good thing that the flaws are magnified but the last few things I’ve done I’ve been pretty disappointed with after posting. I’m not fishing for compliments, I guess it just means I need to work on it. 

Hilary

I don’t think you should give up on this one @HondoRW
Rob is right about the clouds. Blending would be good. 

I also think the colours are slightly harsh but that’s just my personal reaction. 

Put it aside for a while and then come back to it with fresh eyes and you’ll know then what it needs. 

But don’t give up on it because with a bit of tweaking , it could turn out the way you want it to. Think about what attracted you to the scene initially and try to highlight that aspect of it. 

ChuckA

I think this painting has great potential. Keep working on it.

HondoRW

Thanks @Hilary. Sounds like good advice. I think I’ll take you up on it! 🙂
 Thanks @ChuckA. Good idea. 

kostas80

@HondoRW very nice! 

HondoRW

Followed some good advice from y’all and set it aside for a while. As you can see I changed it up quite a bit. It looks a little unfinished but thinking about stopping here. I’d just like to hear what others think. Should I articulate some more areas? Leave it as is? Change something?

Forgiveness

I really like the sky and background I think this is great as is but, I further suggest bringing in some indication of highlights in the foreground even if only subtle but yet distinct maybe a little more distinct for the sake of the painting, even though this area is in shadow it still receives some reflected sunlight (just a little more than shown above) from this background.

ArtGal

It looks great @HondoRW, love the sky

HondoRW

Thanks @Forgiveness and @ArtGal. @Forgiveness-thanks for the comment re the foreground. I was wondering if it needed more detail. 

HondoRW

Added more detail in the foreground. I think I’m going to touch up a few areas and then stick a fork in it. Thanks for any comments or critiques. 

Forgiveness

I like it, it works for me as I find this a more interesting foreground. I was afraid that the fence might hinder me from entering the rest of the painting and further hinder my sense of appreciation of the whole, but not so at all, I believe this makes better sense. Your sense of harmony in the painting has been further extended to make it better completed now, excellent! 

Great work!