Monday 19 March 2018

Help!

I am in a quandary. Since I started doing abstracts I have found that I have no sense of whether my paintings are good or not. I need HELP!

I finished this painting last night and, although I like the colours, I am not sure about the composition. Should I sign it or just paint over the thing? I would really appreciate your opinions.
12 x 16 acrylic
Maybe it is time to put the acrylics away and go back to something I am more comfortable doing - landscapes in watercolour!

I hope you will let me know what you think about this one.

Thanks for visiting!


12 comments:

  1. Well, I am no expert. I do not like this as much as the abstracts you did that had a touch of an organic feel, along with the geometric elements. I thought that was a nice mix. Also how the three element come together in the middle top section, the three "Bars".
    The white element bottom left draws my attention, and I feel stuck there. The elements that have a bend give the eye somewhere to go.
    You did some fabulous abstracts during the challenge Val. I would hate to see you give up on them. Your landscape styled were really good too.
    I like how the red "smoke" goes off at the top. And how the three elements come together at the top middle. The three "bars". Maybe the balance is off. Divide it in half one way and then the other (length, width), and there is one half that is heavy.(pattern making creeping in. LOL)
    Look forward to seeing what you come up with Val :)

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    1. Thank you, thank you! You have given me so much to think about in your comments. I can see what you mean and will have to study on it. Another artist friend sent me a photo of this that she had 'tweaked' so I have lots of ideas to think about. I won't give up on abstracts completely but I might take a break and come back fresher after - I hope. Thanks again Sheila.

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  2. Awesome Val ;) A tweaked version from you friend sounds great. A break might not be a bad idea. Maybe you are putting too much pressure on yourself. What do you think? Enjoy, either way :)

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  3. No don't put the acrylics away, you are just getting going. A break is always good, so do a couple of watercolors and then come back at it. You made changes and got more interesting abstracts as you went through the challenge. This one feels very modern, harder, stark and geometric. Not to say that is a bad thing, it is just very different than what you have had going on before. I would sign it, maybe tweak as others have commented if you want, but if you are going to show abstracts I think you want to show this side of you as well. Someone with modern taste might love it. While it is not my favorite either there are passages that I really like in it. Also I don't mind the less wide black line work, so maybe it is just a matter of more splashing to soften those bold angles, like you did with the red parts. I might even make a diagonal of the white going right through the middle red line connecting the two white areas. I like that you even added interest there by splattering your other colors. Be sure to post whatever you decide to do as it is always interesting to see your thought processes.

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    1. Morning Nelvia. Thank you very much for your thoughts on this painting. I like the idea of 'this side of me'. I have had a lot of thumbs up for this from people on FB - even my husband likes it - lol. I am going to have to let it sit while I consider all of the advice and suggestions but I will definitely post about what I decide. Thanks again!

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  4. I like this! It is a lot different from your more organic abstracts. Your placement of the colors and bars make the eye keep moving around the painting. Nice!!!

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    1. Thanks Joan. Based on what most people are saying this painting is fine just the way it is - lol. My husband says to sign it and call it done but I think I am going to cogitate for a few more days. Thanks for your input.

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  5. I have very much enjoyed your foray into abstract, Val, and encourage you to keep at it. You're an inspiration, and have been creating some beauties, this included!

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    1. Thanks Win. It has been interesting to say the least. And, the more I look at this painting the more I like it as is!

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  6. Hi Val,
    I like it! and I'm not terribly partial to abstract painting. But the soft fuzzy colors contrasting with the sharp splatters are great, and I love the colors!

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    1. Thank you Sharon. I think the consensus on this piece is that it stays as is - more people like it than don't - lol. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

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