My first oil commission

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Looks like a fun project!

[Patricia Joyce]

Here is the first stage, painted with raw umber. Now that I have let it sit for a day I see that there needs to be some minor adjustments to the drawing of the shadow in the water and the value of the boy on the far left's arm is wrong.

I could use some input as to the placement of the horizon. Does placing the horizon above the kids close them in? It will of course be very soft and grayed to recede. I thought a high horizon would focus the kids more "in" the scene creating more depth. Does that make sense to any of you?

I opted for painting the whole landscape instead of cropping because I do not have much detail on the boy's face looking at the camera.

Thanks,
Patty

[Alexandra Tyng]

Patty, the most problematic thing is still the balance of the figures in the composition. I feel there is too much space on the right, not enough on the left. Even if you keep the figures small in relation to the setting, this still hold true.

The high horizon looks fine to me.

[Patricia Joyce]

is this a better composition, Alexandra?

[Patricia Joyce]

I did not see Alexandra's post about composition until I had begun to lay in color. I have ordered another canvas and they are backordered. So I decided to go ahead with this knowing that the second time will be better. I am moving the painting to critique section and am praying you follow . . . I have lots of issues!!!

[Alexandra Tyng]

That looks much better, Patty! It will be beautiful!