New Sketch Sunflower Candle

[xxbreezy]

This is what I've been working on. Finally got it done so thought I'd share!! Didn't want ya'll to think I'm sittin' around not doing anything...lol!!! Thanks for comments and for viewing!!
Enjoy!
Linda

[arlynnhr]

I like the contrast between the warmth inside and the cold outdoors!

[xxbreezy]

Thanks for looking and commenting arlynnhr!!

[arlynnhr]

You're from North Carolina, right? I lived in Dobson (Surry County) and in Winston Salem when I was 9. I have very nice memories from that time.

Take care!

[BYart]

Hi Linda,
Very nice colors and I like the subject! I'm a candle freak(love burning them daily), and I too like the contrast of the indoor coziness and the outdoor harshness of climate.
Well done!
The only suggestion I could make would be-
I think it may have looked a bit better if only one flame..or if the window frame(vertical) wouldn't have distracted from the flames. Like maybe having put in two(one on each side of candle), instead of between flames? I don't know...just a thought!
Like I said, I really like it!

[krysta11]

This is what I've been working on. Finally got it done so thought I'd share!! Didn't want ya'll to think I'm sittin' around not doing anything...lol!!! Thanks for comments and for viewing!!
Enjoy!
Linda

Hey Linda, you sitting around not doing anything?!! Impossible!
I know you well now and I am sure you love your art and always create something new.
This one as all your pieces is very , very nice. I love the atmosphere inside and outside.

all the best L.

K.

[xxbreezy]

Hi Linda,
Very nice colors and I like the subject! I'm a candle freak(love burning them daily), and I too like the contrast of the indoor coziness and the outdoor harshness of climate.
Well done!
The only suggestion I could make would be-
I think it may have looked a bit better if only one flame..or if the window frame(vertical) wouldn't have distracted from the flames. Like maybe having put in two(one on each side of candle), instead of between flames? I don't know...just a thought!
Like I said, I really like it!

You know I never noticed that the window frame distracts away from the flames on the candle. I just wanted two flames with the size of the candle I wanted. Great Eye!! Glad you like it!!

Thanks Krysta...always like hearing you. LOL....you make me laugh sometimes!!! Glad you like my new sketch!!

[bergina]

This "Just Showing" seems to be similar to the “Fury” as not only are viewers (other artists) acknowledging the artists hard work but also voicing some opinions on what they think is right and also wrong. This is not a bad thing as I have had some very helpful comments myself.
I am in between paintings, have a bit of time and thought I’d give you an in-depth critique as I always liked your personal approach, always so positive which is a reflection of your gentile disposition but also your art effort , topic and direction. I hope you don’t mind Linda. Everything I say is hopefully to help you become a better painter. You have probably finished this work so don't go go back as you are probably working on something new. Maybe I can help you with the next one as for me , one work builds on another.
I think you have some very nice aspects to this work especially the vegetation around the candle and the trees are so nice. However, assuming the main focus is the lit candle, you have way too much
ightness in the background (wrong time of day). You need a contrast in color to showcase this beautiful candle light. For me, the background should be a very dark color, perhaps a moon lit night but still showing the snow and trees but all very much darker. The dark could be in the purple family. If you look at the color wheel, purple is the opposite to yellow which is your main foreground color. This would in itself, create a very interesting eye catching visual. This will also give you some serious contrast. You can then play with the flame on the candle as every bit of light will now show. This could be so much fun. Here is where you do a net search and study photos of how a fire flame (candle, camp fire etc) looks like in the dark. You can take your own photo’s but it’s tough to do unless you have a good camera and know how use it or just get lucky as I some times do. The last painting I did and you commented about, was all about contrast as the reflection and background was the main focus. There needed to be darkness to show the light.
Composition wise, it’s never a good idea to split things in half which I see here. I have somewhat stretched this rule but always seem to get away with it probably on the strengths of other artistic aspects of my work. Everything in this painting seems to be centered. Of all the rules in painting, this is the one that you have to be so conscious off. In your painting, the candle, two windows (center bar) sloping snow field and the two mid ground dominant large spruce trees are too even. You have to somehow
eak a composition up so it’s visually interesting for the subconscious eye to look at. There is nothing more uninteresting than looking at a square or equal parts of a square, Look around you right now in your room nothing is square or equal parts. Also, the color of your candle and your window ledge are to close in color. The candle appears to be standing by itself. Put some strength and detail in the very bottom of the window ledge. How do you do this? I would put some wood grain individual lines and more intense yellow/ purple but not unnatural as you do have a great natural flow here.
Easy fix right? I hope you don’t mind my serious critique as I did have the time tonight and know you are serious about your art work.
Al

[krysta11]

Hello Linda and Al,

What a great reply here!!!
I read it 3 times to make sure I will remember everything what Al said. Fantastic lesson! Thank you Al. Helping Linda with your tips and suggestions , at the same time you are helping me and others.
We are very lucky to have you among us.
all the best
krysta

[xxbreezy]

First of all, I never get upset when you critique my artwork Al. As I always say ...you are a great teacher and have a way of saying thing without insult and for the soul purpose of teaching.
I wasn't aware at the time I did this sketch how the window frame (center piece) would affect this piece. This, of course, I can't change now but is a lessoned learned. I agree with what you are saying and may add a little more to this sketch mainly because the candle is the focus. I do want the flames to show a little more. Up close it seems to be working but when you get some distance between you and the sketch, the flames fade. Its funny, because the color I used for the window ledge is not near as close in color to the candle as it shows here. Its much lighter but it does need more detail. When I was working on that area, I just wasn't getting the results I wanted. Maybe I just gave up too soon and decided to just go with the one color.
This is the first sketch of this nature and so appreciate all the suggestion by everyone. I have read comments and looked back at my sketch with every comment, especially yours Al. It all makes sense to me. I looked at many "flame" photos with candles, fires, etc.... and I guess I was afraid of going too dark in the background. When looking at it now, however, I can see its too light.
I can make adjustments to this piece with little trouble. Except for the center bar in the window and as always, I appreciate everyone's time and trouble to comment.

[xxbreezy]

Also Al, could you explain what you mean by the two mid-ground spruce trees being "too even" because when I look at the sketch, they aren't even to me. The smaller one is further back than the front one...if thats what you mean. Not disagreeing with you...just not seeing it as you do...lol!!!! Better explaination would help here!!! Thanks a bunch Al!!

[bergina]

I studied you painting intently and then wrote my comments. The two spruce trees for me looked pretty even. Granted, the one on the left is smaller and thus more distant but still the same intensity of color and definition. However my main point was the balance of the painting or should I say out of balance. If I squint and look at this, because of the sharp contrast with the background, the two trees are close and similar not only in color but position. They both are almost the same distance from the center window frame and their respective sides. Turn you painting sideways or better, up side down. Forget about the subject matter and look at how the different shapes and intensities of color, (dark and lights) work together. Then look at how your colors relate to each other. Look at your color wheel. Two colors that are side by side don’t do a lot for each other but contrasting ones (purple, yellow) do. This is why I mentioned maybe to create a dark purple type backdrop as it would compliment the yellows in the foreground. If something looks to evenly balanced as in a teeter totter, make some changes. As a general rule,
eak things up into thirds but you probably know this.
Always with respect for your hard work,
Al

[xxbreezy]

Again...many thanks Al!!! I'm reworking the background and will add the detail in the shelf the candle is sitting on as well. Working on the trees too somewhat so when I get it done I will repost.
Linda