need help with colour

[timmi]

for this one I took one of my holidaypictures as refrence...i got the feeling something is missing and i just can´t figure out what makes this painting boring to me.I hope you can help me on this one!

[JeffX99]

The problem isn't with color (well, color is a problem but not the main one). The problem is someone came in and stole the center of interest right out of the middle of that big field!

There's a few basic problems right from the start...the composition being the main one. It really does look empty in the middle, like maybe the focal point is being cloaked. What do you want the painting to be about?

Also canvas is divided pretty much in half...horizontal bands just running across...horizon is tilted...along with everything else. Is the foreground water? Or sand? Or?

My recommendation is to study landscape traditionally and from life. Only real way to get a handle on them.

[timmi]

thanks a lot for your help!!!it shuold be water in the foreground.... on this painting i just set my focus on technique instead of composition.i took a picture and try to figure out how the colours work and what the best brushes are to work with-maybe not the best approach though :-)i my next paintings i´ll follow your tips and pay attention to composition, but do you have any tips for how to use colour and brushes? thanks again!!!

[briggsy@ashtons]

Have you seen these?

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/sho...d.php?t=107217

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53517
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76955

[JeffX99]

thanks a lot for your help!!!it shuold be water in the foreground.... on this painting i just set my focus on technique instead of composition.i took a picture and try to figure out how the colours work and what the best brushes are to work with-maybe not the best approach though :-)i my next paintings i´ll follow your tips and pay attention to composition, but do you have any tips for how to use colour and brushes? thanks again!!!

Cool...the only way I know of to really learn about landscape painting is to get out in it, observe and try to paint. You just won't learn it on a computer trying to interpret photos. The landscape is just too subtle, complex and infinite in variety to learn about any other way.

Colour in nature takes time to understand and a lot of just being brave about exploring the possibilities. I recommend using a very limited palette to keep things simple as well - white and some primaries is a good start.

For composition I recommend "Drawing Scenery" by Jack Hamm.
Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting is a must have as well.

Good luck!

[timmi]

thank you VERY much!!!