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At the End of the Year it is always so good to look back and view the past 12 months with a critical eye for the good and the bad. What can I change and what can I continue. It is a time for reflection and growth.

I like to do this with my paintings, too, on a regular basis. I reflect on what was right and what needs to be changed.

Among the Pines 36 x 48 oil by Susan Blackwood OPA AIS

Above is one painting that I was very happy with…. until this week. All of a sudden, something was not working. What was it? I turned to Howard for a critique. (Yes, all artists need a second set of eyes.) When asked, Howard and I often critique each other's paintings.

He pointed out the cow elk right in front of the bull elk. Even though we discussed this a while ago, I wasn’t ready then. I couldn’t see the problem. But time has passed and now, I really saw the problem. The cow elk was in a strange position. Even though I knew she was on a slope, her position gave the impression that she was awkwardly kicking up her heels. What bothered me the most was she was creating a wall in front of the bull elk, stopping the eye of the viewer and the movement of the bull. WOW! How did I never noticed this before!

Originally, I had arranged the little herd of elk, carefully placing each elk, checking the spacing and design. In order for the face of the bull to stand out, I had put the light body of the cow right in front of the bull’s face. Yes, it did stand out, but now, I could see that she was a problem. 

So, this week, I painted out the cow elk. Then I needed to do some redesigning. In order to have the face of the bull stand out and not be lost in the dark value of the background tree, I raised the light grassy land by increasing the slope upward, cooling it off so the land appeared distant and in half shadow.

Removed the cow elk in front of the bull and added cool light to the dark trees in the front.

Howard gave me a good critique and also pointed out that the big trees in the front were also a problem. They were too dark. So while I was fixing the painting, I also added slightly lighter cool values to the dark trees and shadows in the foreground. This gave more life to the big dark shapes. Thank you, Howard

Finished painting with corrections

So, just like critiquing a painting, may this New Year bring you a grateful heart for the things that are right and new opportunities to change those things you would like to change. Most of all may this New Year bring you continued Joy and Peace. Let’s let our brushes really swing with joy in 2018.

Here is a link - if you would like Howard or me to critique your paintings.

Click here for more information on personal critiques by Susan Blackwood and Howard Friedland

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