Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do. -Edgar Degas
It's so true! The more you know about painting, the harder it gets LOL! I found this wonderful reference photo and have it sketched onto my panel. Now I'm questioning the composition. I really like the reeds and their reflections in the water, which seems to create an intimate seclusion in the landscape. But the reeds seem to make the eye stop rather than move through the picture? I have edited the photo to add some depth and wonder if it would work better? The first is the ref photo, the second my edited version. Does the edited version work better compositionally?
Comments
I initially really liked this composition but then that part of me that is trying to learn more about composition has me second-guessing myself. I should just go with my gut insticts like I used to unless I see something that really is off in a composition.
Thank you again for looking and the way you adjusted the values. I really appreciate it
Love the quote by Degas.
As to your question, I might have been tempted to have a used boat path through the reeds leading to the beyond; but perhaps you tried that and it did not give enough of a sense of the space behind?
Will be interested to see how it develops.
Great job.
I'm so impressed at how you took the proper time and reworked the composition so skillfully. The result is fantastic, the water perfectly wet and peaceful.
A little rowboat will always ensure a beautiful painting! You nailed this. Can't wait to see more of your work.
The painting is color balanced well. The emotion is good. I like the boat.
There are 2 things.
The horizon is impossible based on the perspective. You are looking down into the boat.
And being a row boat guy I'm wondering how the guy in the house gets to his boat. The mooring space doesn't seem to be adequate for a larger boat to return to this tender?.
I don't know a lot about boats and large bodies of water, soI may be barking up the wrong tree,
Is it possible it could be a tidal area and the tide is in?
Perhaps the water has knocked the boat to tilt it slightly towards the viewer?
Or it may be an unsolvable mystery!