From the Artist: This one is one of my first few attempts at painting in oils and I must say
the medium appeals to me. I liked the contrast between the pears and the background.
From the Painting Guide: I think that your pleasure in the oil paint comes through in the painting, that you enjoyed working with it and weren't struggling with it nor fighting it. And I think your pears and background work together really well.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Background: A background shouldn't be an "also-ran" part of a painting. It can make or break a painting. Here, look at how the greens in the background and the yellows of the pears work together. How the touches of green on the pears and yellow in the foreground create a unity in the painting overall.
Then look at the tones of the various elements, how the really light tone on the half pear is repeated in the small highlights on the other two. And how the background isn't one flat, consistent tone, but a variety, which adds subtly to the interest of the painting even though the viewer's focus will be on the pears.
Composition: Had you counted how many pieces of fruit there are in this painting? It fits with the composition rule about having an odd number, rather than an even. The logic behind it is that it's harder for the viewer's to mentally group them.
If you've read my article on 5 Ways to Ruin a Painting you'll be familiar with the concept of "fried egg compositiion", where I say it's hard to successfully place the focus of your painting in the center of your canvas. Well, I believe this painting is one of those exceptions, and it's because the left and right pears "distract" your eye enough from the central one.
Choice of Medium: I think it's well worth trying different types of paint because you may just find that an unexpected choice fits you better. Attending a workshop where materials are included in the cost is a great way to do this without having to buy a range of supplies.
From the Painting Guide: I think that your pleasure in the oil paint comes through in the painting, that you enjoyed working with it and weren't struggling with it nor fighting it. And I think your pears and background work together really well.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Background: A background shouldn't be an "also-ran" part of a painting. It can make or break a painting. Here, look at how the greens in the background and the yellows of the pears work together. How the touches of green on the pears and yellow in the foreground create a unity in the painting overall.
Then look at the tones of the various elements, how the really light tone on the half pear is repeated in the small highlights on the other two. And how the background isn't one flat, consistent tone, but a variety, which adds subtly to the interest of the painting even though the viewer's focus will be on the pears.
Composition: Had you counted how many pieces of fruit there are in this painting? It fits with the composition rule about having an odd number, rather than an even. The logic behind it is that it's harder for the viewer's to mentally group them.
If you've read my article on 5 Ways to Ruin a Painting you'll be familiar with the concept of "fried egg compositiion", where I say it's hard to successfully place the focus of your painting in the center of your canvas. Well, I believe this painting is one of those exceptions, and it's because the left and right pears "distract" your eye enough from the central one.
Choice of Medium: I think it's well worth trying different types of paint because you may just find that an unexpected choice fits you better. Attending a workshop where materials are included in the cost is a great way to do this without having to buy a range of supplies.