From the Artist: Initially I wasn't going to enter this month's project, since I didn't have a canvas, or canvas board in a landscape size. However this morning I felt creative and went in search of a suitable ground on which to paint. I found a cedar 'shingle' which, as soon as I found it, I thought would be great.
It has wonderful texture/grain which I think adds to the painting's character. It is irregular along the top and has a hole about where the sun might be, and the lower left corner has a knot hole which I incorporated into the painting by making it a culvert/bridge. A bit of glare from the camera flash unfortunately makes the fence appear to be missing a couple cross pieces. I tried to pay close attention to the Thirds Rule which I haven't done before, and since this is a composition of my own I am a bit nervous as to whether I have it set out properly.
From the Painting Guide: Even if you didn't like anything about the way this painting turned out, the fact that you tried something new (Rule of Thirds) and created a composition of your own make it a painting that was worth doing.
But also remember you're the artist, you can place things in your painting wherever you want them. Composition rules are merely ways to approach and organize, starting points rather than absolutely defined finishing points. So if you find something is "right" according to a rule but feels "wrong" to you, don't hesitate to change it. If you're not sure, create a paper cutout or small sketch and try it in the alternative position (see Placing Elements in a Painting).
I think you've used the Rule of Thirds well horizontally, dividing the composition into three horizontal bands and visually linking these through the varying heights of the elements within the scene. The fence leads the viewer's eye from the bottom edge into the scene, while the shapes of the mountain pull the eye up even further.
If I strictly apply the Rule of thirds horizontally, then the building ought to be further to the left. Hold up your hand to crop off a little of the left-hand side of the painting and see how you feel about it. It could indeed be argued that the bridge on the left balances out the placement of the building. It doesn't really work for me because it seems to stand too alone, it doesn't link with the other elements such as a fence or a road that runs into the scene.
It has wonderful texture/grain which I think adds to the painting's character. It is irregular along the top and has a hole about where the sun might be, and the lower left corner has a knot hole which I incorporated into the painting by making it a culvert/bridge. A bit of glare from the camera flash unfortunately makes the fence appear to be missing a couple cross pieces. I tried to pay close attention to the Thirds Rule which I haven't done before, and since this is a composition of my own I am a bit nervous as to whether I have it set out properly.
From the Painting Guide: Even if you didn't like anything about the way this painting turned out, the fact that you tried something new (Rule of Thirds) and created a composition of your own make it a painting that was worth doing.
But also remember you're the artist, you can place things in your painting wherever you want them. Composition rules are merely ways to approach and organize, starting points rather than absolutely defined finishing points. So if you find something is "right" according to a rule but feels "wrong" to you, don't hesitate to change it. If you're not sure, create a paper cutout or small sketch and try it in the alternative position (see Placing Elements in a Painting).
I think you've used the Rule of Thirds well horizontally, dividing the composition into three horizontal bands and visually linking these through the varying heights of the elements within the scene. The fence leads the viewer's eye from the bottom edge into the scene, while the shapes of the mountain pull the eye up even further.
If I strictly apply the Rule of thirds horizontally, then the building ought to be further to the left. Hold up your hand to crop off a little of the left-hand side of the painting and see how you feel about it. It could indeed be argued that the bridge on the left balances out the placement of the building. It doesn't really work for me because it seems to stand too alone, it doesn't link with the other elements such as a fence or a road that runs into the scene.