Two paintings for your delectation

This is what I was looking for when I googled Tracey Emin something that had actually been created by her own hands, I just could not find anything other than a couple of biro sketches.

These are delectable You have put a lot of work into them.

You confuse me Dennis.
During the RA topic of last week you said (amongst other things) " I felt it was time for a good contentious debate rather than the usual annodine mutual stroking that goes on"

I'm afraid "annodine" I'm not familiar with, but I got the gist. Now who's the first for a bit of mutual stroking ??
You !

or is it just a wind-up ??

dennnis - i love them both. Its taken me a whole to appreciate still life paintings - principly through doing them myslef and balancing the juxposition of the various elements to keep the whole balanced is tricky. I like the "roundness" you've managed to create on the jugs - can't think of the correct term but I'm sure you can work out what i mean.
as for the comment about mutual stroking - well maybe it was a bit sharp to put it that way but in general I agree that the purpose of critique is to learn, to improve and to use the third eye of another person to point out faults. This can be done in a nonjudgemntal way - not " urghh its horrible" - that's no help at all but some proper helpful comments about whats not so good as well as whats worked well is useful to all of us. no-one is perfect
If the only comment is "perfect, lovely , beautuful " etc then thats good for the ego but not helping people to learn and inprove and I think thats such a valuable part of any forum. I've certainly learned much from putting artwork up for critique and had some valuble advice from other artists.

I'm not sure about the feather in the first one - its obviously there for a reason but to me it catches my eye too much as seems out of sync with the rest of the objects.
On the second pic I can't work out what the T shaped object is - it looks like maybe a wooden support or something but not knowing what jars a bit..

Got me bang to rights there, bpetre but I have nothing against people putting their images in the Critique Corner in principle, it is just the rather bland unhelpful comments in reply, as Jennie says. But it's a fair cop guvnor.
Jennie, the feather is there because I felt there was a gap in the top left and it seemed that the other objects were directing our gaze towards this spot, so I wanted to put something inncongrous there on purpose. The title came soon after. The T shaped thing is the back of a canvas that forms the background to the objects, but the painting was rushed to get it to a show, so when it comes back I shall do some more tinkering with it. But this is the sort of feedback that is to be welcomed, if it helps us to improve our painting.

As Jeannie said there is a way of giving support without being down right rude just because you feel like it.Especially if some people are just starting out.


Sometimes work doesn't need changing so a good word can be all that's needed,we all need it sometimes,so lighten up and keep things friendly.

Hi Denis
Nice of you to put up some work.
If I may comment my opinion which is mainly to do with colours:
The first one is great, I LOVE the feather!
I would change the tablecloth colour to something stronger - blue , it seems a bit too pale for me.

The second one: the brownish colour of paper bag? again needs to be changed for me, it doesn't go with the rest of the composition. Curious to know why did you choose that colour there?

Otherwise brilliant. I love your work it has a peaceful , balanced and neat quality to it.

All the best

Leyla

Sorry Denis, just noticed that the brownish object is a chopping board! It 's not easy to comment when you don't have a piece in front of you while I am writing this.
Had another look at the other painting and instead of changing the table cloth perhaps you could whiten a bit the jug to give it slightly more contrast?

Hi Leylamur, Well, it's a palette actually. I see what you mean about the contrast but the original set up had the light behind it,contre - jour as us artists say, so the front of the jug was in shadow. Perhaps it needs to be darker. Also the checks were very washed out by the light but they could get darker nearer the front I suppose. I am painting now with thin glazes to build up colour slowly, so I suppose it could be done.

Evening Dennis,

Yep, I like them too.

Not sure about the feather though. Just strikes me as odd.

In the first one I think the blue bottle seems to be bending towards the viewer a snip though, at the neck.
The opening is out of perpective with the rest maybe.

I like the loose style of your second painting.

Catch ya