How to critique a painting.
Caroline explained that in looking at any picture one should follow the line, colour, tonal value, contrast and how the eye is guided through the picture.
The focal point is a very important area of interest. It is where you’re going to put the most contrast in value.
Caroline has selected a photograph of a painting for us to study located below.. The first area of interest we find is the body of the lady who is in white against a dark background. In looking at her, we follow her eye, which is looking upwards to another figure who is in white but not as large and is looking down at her. This takes the eye back-and-forth and from the man, The lines go down the tree and across the bottom area so that you are actually circling the photo with your eyes. Brush marks can also give direction Along with the line, colour, total value and contrast.
Carolyn stated that Brown is a neutral color along with gray. Opposites on the colour wheel in a painting help the images to pop out. The pink in this photo makes you hunt for other pink areas as well. Texture makes things pop out.
In looking at warm versus cold colours, the warm colour advances and cool colours recede.
Moods can be established through dark mystery shadows. Light colours tend to be more upbeat and happy.
Caroline explained that during the process of painting we can take out and put in objects, colour, line, etc., throughout the whole process until the picture is finished. Even if you have painted the most gorgeous image and are hesitant to do anything with it, if it doesn’t fit then just paint over it or change it into something else that is more appropriate. It is not precious and can be removed.
One other area that was touched on was the rule of three as well as the golden value. She mentioned that the rule of three is dividing the length by three along with the width and where the lines intersect is an excellent places to put important images in a picture.
The whole area of critiquing your picture is an important one to consider. Before starting a painting, you may wish to make a quick sketch in order to establish where some of the important areas will lie, and how they will be identified through colour, value and contrast.
