Painting Number 9

Hi all,
I managed to finish another painting, this time the subject was a daffodil. I think it turned out okay but it wasn't very exciting either in the execution or the finished image.

Perhaps I'm being a bit hard myself because it isn't that bad. In fact, I'm having a job to find something bad to say about it.
Score 15 out of 100
My review
Bad bits
The flower head looks slightly out of focus.
The composition of the leaves is wrong, the bent one on the left should be in the middle so that the bent shape could be fully seen.
Good Bits
It is a pleasant enough image and would probable make a good book marker. However, seeing as I use a kindle to read my books it will have to go in the folder with the rest of the unframables.

The one thing that I did learn from the exercise was how valuable it is to do a drawing of the subject first. I used to think that doing a drawing first was a waste of time but it really isn't. Not only does it give me a chance to work out the tones, it also gives me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the subject.

The other thing I realised was that I like drawing with water soluble pencils. In fact, I liked it so much I sent off for some Derwent Inktense Pencils to see if they worked the same, but would provide me with a bit of colour. I know that you can get water soluble watercolour pencils but they look a bit washed out to me. I don't want my paintings to look like a kids colouring book.

Anyway, I'm going to do a daffodil with my new pencils and I'll show you it in my next post

Painting Number 8

Hi all,
I can't believe it is 8 weeks already since I started this challenge. I was hoping that by this time I would be seeing a real improvement in my efforts, but I'm afraid a breakthrough hasn't happened yet.

Here is painting number 8

The only thing good I can say about this painting is that it sort of shows you what I'm aiming for even though the execution is weak.
Score 14 out of 100

Bad bits
Some of the branches are non convincing.
The ferns at the front are way to small.
There aren't enough berries.
It lacks a focal point.

Good bits
The darker leaves in the background are quite convincing and the berries pop out nicely.

I think the time has come now to step it up a gear and try do do something decent. To that end I have chosen a decent subject that we can all relate to and I've even done a preliminary sketch to help me with the shading.

Here is the drawing.

I really enjoyed doing this drawing not least because of the medium I chose. I did it with water soluble pencils, which are a joy to use. If you haven't tried them, please have a go and I'm sure you won't be disappointed. You do the shading as you would with a normal pencil, then wet it with a damp brush and you can see the magic happen before your very eyes.

Now all I've got to do is paint one like it and I will show you the results in my next post.