This week was difficult. I planned to work on older paintings, but I just couldn’t get myself to start. I ended up not painting until last night despite sitting down to paint multiple times throughout the week. The painting above is the result. I’m not thrilled about it, but it’s actually better than it was. I repainted the entire thing and in the process lowered the horizon and altered the foreground.
I’ve been toying with the idea of participating in a 30 paintings in 30 days challenge in January. However, my complete inability to finish a painting in one sitting is a huge challenge I don’t think I’m quite ready to overcome. My normal tendency is paint several layers on each painting, so I would need to overhaul my painting approach in order to finish a painting in a day.
The challenge will likely morph into painting every day for 30 days, which would still be an achievement for me. I usually only paint a few days a week.
Read more about this painting:
Part 2 – More Work on Jewel Beach
It may be the photograph, but there is not much tonal variation between the foreground and middle ground. If your intention was to focus on the headland, with the light behind it, I think you should make it sharper and increase the contrast in the water behind, then your tonal treatment on the rest of the painting might work. Hope this is of use.
I must say I did like your waves near the shore on the original. They had a laziness about them that you get on calm days with the tide out.
Thank you for your critique, it’s very helpful! Great timing too. I was just thinking I should find somewhere to post this for a critique. The photo is pretty accurate. You’re right about needing to sharpen and increase contrast. I didn’t mind the original waves, but they couldn’t be salvaged in the shift.