Friday, February 19, 2010

AAARRRGGGHHH!!! All you oil painters out there...critique me!!

 
POPPY
6x8" oil on panel

OK all you oil painters out there...a little advice please!  Thought I'd attempt a poppy in oil today cuz I'm SOOOO tired of snow...and, my brain is having a bit of a time translating from how I paint in acrylics to how I SHOULD paint in oils...SO...stroking is different...and I am a little frustrated...so any thoughts on how to best approach parts of this painting differently would be MUCH appreciated!  In acrylics I slap on the background and then begin to quickly slap on color for the flower...what I don't like is easy to adjust...in oils I find if I'm not careful I get mud...of course..After attempting this I realize...perhaps I should start in the middle and go out??...Or, do you do the background first and go in...hmmm....Hopefully you can see what I've done and give me some of your expertise!!  I NEED to paint again with my wonderful artist friend Carol Nelson, but I'm sure she is quite busy with her hubby these days, NOT TO MENTION her portraits she is doing two a day right now!!  SO...HELP!...:)

And, I went to the store and grabbed some pears and grapes for a little photo shoot...thought I'd share one of the pics...any of you out there who want to attempt it...have at it!!

HAPPY CREATING!!  and...thanks in advance from anyone who dares to pick this apart!!  I can take it!  REALLY!!

14 comments:

Carol Nelson said...

Without seeing the ref photo, it's hard to tell if you captured the highlights and shadows.
I think it could use some darker darks too - maybe in lower right?
I've never see a poppy with little pink things in the middle. I've seen deep purple and yellow. Are they really pink?

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

They ARE...I'll send the reference photo...thanks oh wonderful poppy painter!! :)

Jane Hunt said...

I feel your frustration - it's like learning to paint all over again!
What helps me is to sketch it out first on the canvas and then block in areas of color. It's very easy to end up with mud and I end up rubbing off whole sections!
THat said, I really like this piece - the composition, the 'pop' of color. I'm excited to see where you go with these paintings!
BTW - you look cute as a button in your blue hat :)

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

HA...thanks Jane! I'm glad to hear that someone else is going through baby steps again! Sure appreciate your comments!!

Dean H. said...

Hi, Saundra...IMHO I like letting oils "do their thing". Watch for great natural blends like in your background.
Try to keep edges soft until toward the end...then apply the paint in thick strokes at the focal point. Also that's where you use the highest chroma and value contrast.
Hope this helps.
ps...the painting is coming along great!

Stephen Washburn said...

I don't have the answer but I like what Dean is saying, and let's see....Timing, process, persistence, and using an alkyd white (faster drying) helps me.

Lokelani Forrest said...

Hmmm...let me see. I sketch what I want to do on my canvas first, thenI usually put the background in first, that way I can be cleaner with the edges of the focus whether I want it hard or soft. I try to put the darks in first then come back with the lights. I'm never consistent about this process, but more or less, this works for me. I like what you've done so far. I love oils because it is forgiving. Acrylics dry to fast for me so I shy away from that medium.

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

WOW guys...THANK YOU!! I will take your advices...and march onward!! I really appreciate the critiques!! THEY HELP!!

Autumn Leaves said...

Not one to give critiques nor advice, Saundra. Instead I find myself giggling at the picture of you in my head of trying to stack those grapes!!! LOLOL

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

HA Autumn Leaves...My tongue was out...does that tell it?? :)

Dean H. said...

I have something for you, Saundra. Stop by my blog and pick it up! If you don't choose to accept it, I understand. :)

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Thank you Dean...I'm on my way over!

Anonymous said...

when I work with acrylics, I paint on the layers....the same can be done with oils, however you have to let the painting dry for like a week before you can move on to the next layer....therefore...

I paint with oils the way you would do one of those paint by number thingys.... just think flat and paint in all your surfaces...less strokes is better otherwise mud is all you'll get!

that being said, I think your poppy flower turned out wonderfully! it's free and flowing!
well done!

take care
ciao
carmelina
xoxo

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

Carmelina...Your advice came JUST in time!! THANKS!! I keep painting like I do in acrylics...FORGETTING that every brush stroke smears another color into the mix! UUUGGGHHH!! BUT, I get it a little more now...you all have helped a TON!! Tune in on my Feb 23 blog and see why I'm saying this!! I'm not ashamed to show you all my mess!! :)

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